Team Herald
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RAIA: Churchill Brothers FC produced a dominant display to outplay Aizawl FC 6-0 in the I-League match played at Raia ground, on Sunday.
The hosts led 2-0 at half-time. It was the combination of South African striker Wayde Lekay (3’, 53’ p), and Trijoy Savio Dias (27’, 79’), who broke apart the Aizawl FC defence. Midfielder Pape Gassama (73’) and substitute Lunminlen Haokip (90+6’) chipped in with a goal each.
This was Aizawl FC’s second defeat on the trot. In the last five matches, Aizawl FC have garnered one point, while losing four and drawing one match.
The Red Machines provisionally move back to the top of the I-League 2024-25 table with 16 points from eight matches, but are closely followed by Inter Kashi, who are on 14 points from a game less.
Aizawl FC, on the other hand, are at the opposite spectrum; with six points from eight matches, they remain rooted in the danger zone of the points table, a mere point ahead of bottom-placed SC Bengaluru.
Churchill Brothers started the onslaught early as Dias barged his way into the Aizawl FC penalty box in the third minute, only to have his shot blocked. The ball ricocheted off the defender and fell kindly for Lekay to give his side the early lead.
Dias himself turned scorer when his zig-zagging run into the box put him in the perfect position to score at the bottom far corner minutes ahead of the half-hour mark.
Aizawl FC looked out of sorts and the hosts sensing further opportunities kept pressing forward. Lekay, who was brought down in the Aizawl FC box after the restart, converted the resulting penalty, resuming the flow of goals in the second half. Gassama, in a moment of brilliance, worked a perfect give-and-go with Sebastian Gutierrez before making it four.
Dias and Lunminlen completed the rout in the dying minutes, taking Churchill Brothers to plus 11 on goal difference.
RESULT
Churchill Brothers FC 6 (Wayde Lekay 3’, 53’ p, Trijoy Dias 27’, 79’, Pape Gassama 73’, Lunminlen Haokip 90+6’) Aizawl FC 0
