This story is from December 17, 2019

I-League: Roberto Eslava salvages point for champions in Aizawl

Aizawl FC on Tuesday played out a 1-1 draw against defending champions Chennai City FC at Rajiv Gandhi International stadium in Aizawl. William Lalnunfela put Aizawl in the lead in the ninth minute while Chennai City FC captain Roberto Eslava equalized when he converted from the spot in the 40th minute.
I-League: Roberto Eslava salvages point for champions in Aizawl
Roberto Eslava. (I-League Photo)
AIZAWL: Aizawl FC on Tuesday played out a 1-1 draw against defending champions Chennai City FC at Rajiv Gandhi International stadium in Aizawl. William Lalnunfela put Aizawl in the lead in the ninth minute while Chennai City FC captain Roberto Eslava equalized when he converted from the spot in the 40th minute.
With this result, Aizawl have five points from four matches and are currently sixth on the table.
Chennai, on the other hand, are one place below them on seventh spot and have four points from three matches.
Aizawl, playing their second home game of the tournament, came into the match having won the Mizoram Premier League for the fourth time, and were high on confidence. They began well and Stanley Rosario’s men took the lead when Lalnunfela found the net in the ninth minute.
It was the first real chance of the match and Aizawl captain Alfred Jaryan ran through Chennai defence and played an inch-perfect pass to Lalnunfela. The striker, who played for Mohun Bagan during the last season, made no mistake of slotting it into the net.
The defending champions did not get bogged down by the early strike and went all out in search of the equalizer. In the 18th minute, they won a free-kick and Katsumi Yusi floated the ball into the box but Pravitto Raju header was off target. Thirty five minutes into the game, Chennai had another chance when Ajith Kumar received the ball from the skipper and had a shot at the target from distance. Sadly the ball went past wide.
Their relentless attacks finally paid off when Chennai were awarded a penalty after Paul Ramfangzauva handed the ball inside the box. Eslava stepped up to convert with ease.
After the break, Aizawl had a number of chances but they failed to convert any of them.
The team from the northeast will next take on Punjab FC in Aizawl on Friday, while Chennai face NEROCA at home on Saturday.
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