Defending champions Aizawl FC rode on K Lalhmangaihkima's brilliant strike to beat Electric Veng FC 1-0 in the third round of the Mizoram Premier League at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl on Friday.
It was their third win on the trot in as many matches and they continue to stay at the top of the table after the completion of the third round.
Aizawl, who beat FC Bethlehem and Chawnpui FC in the earlier rounds, could have scored more had it not been for Electric Veng goalkeeper C Vanlalhriata, who denied the former I-League champions on a number of occasions.
Vanlalhriata denied MS Dawngliana and K Lalrinfela in the first half and he was able to thwart Dawngtea in the second half as well as Lalhmangaihkima's strike in the 35th minute was the only thing that separated the two teams in the end.
Earlier in the day, FC Venghnuai held former champions Chhinga Veng FC to a 1-1 draw despite playing the closing stages of the game one man short after Vanlalthanga was sent off in the 80th minute.
Venghnuai goalkeeper Joel B. Lalramchhana, who named the man of the match for his heroic efforts, kept Chhinga Veng at bay for the entire first half of the match. But the former champions made the breakthrough 18 minutes into the second half through an own goal from Lalnunsiama.
However, the lead did not last long as C Ngurnuntluanga equalised for Venghnuai after he finished off a delivery from C Ramdinmawia two minutes later.
Aizawl will now face Mizoram Police in a rematch of the Independence Day final, which Mizoram Police had won 2-0, on Thursday. In the other fourth round fixtures FC Venghnuai will take on former champions Chanmari FC, Electric Veng will face off against Chhinga Veng FC and FC Bethlehem will go head to head against Chawnpui FC.
