Aizawl take on Chanmari in floodlight debut

KOLKATA: After holding Mohun Bagan to a goalless draw in their I-League opener, Aizawl FC are all set to take on Chanmari FC in the first-leg semifinal of the 8th Mizoram Premier League at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Aizawl on Tuesday.
It will be the first time that the stadium will host a match under the lights. The floodlights were installed earlier this year.
For Aizawl, it will be a huge test of character especially after playing such a high-intensity game against the Kolkata giants on Saturday.They have another I-League match against NEROCA in Imphal on Friday and coach Stanley Rozario is worried about his players picking up injuries.
“It’s a tough match for us. After playing so well throughout the league, I really want to make the finals. On the other hand, I am worried about the Imphal match too. Keeping the tight schedule in mind, I will make some changes but the core team will remain the same,” said Rozario.
Lalremruata, who was brilliant in front of the goal against Bagan, will make a start. What remains to be seen is whether Alfred Jaryan will be back as a striker where he has been successful in the MPL so far. Against Bagan, however, he failed to impress upfront and played in the midfield for most of the match.
Meanwhile, playing at the venue will give Aizawl a huge advantage. While the defending champions have always played their I-league matches here, it will be a first for Chanmari.
As for Chanmari, it will be a huge task at hand. They finished fourth after the league stage with only 20 points from 14 matches having won five, lost five and drawn four of their matches. A month back they also let go of their coach Shylo Malsawmtluanga, popularly known as Mama, and the team is currently under interim coach Samuel Sailo. Moreover, the only foreigner that they had recruited for the season, Goodwin Quashiga, won’t be available for the match. The Ghanainan defensive midfielder is out with injury and there will be only Mizo players in the team.
Still the team is confident of putting up a good show since both their matches in the league stage had ended in a draw. While the first tie remained goalless, the second match ended 2-2.