I-League: Aizawl beat Mumbai to take top spot

Bayi Kamo struck twice in the second half as Aizawl FC defeated Mumbai FC 2-0 to temporarily move to the top of the I-League table here on Saturday.

The Ivorian striker scored in the 65th and 78th minutes to help Aizawl maintain their unbeaten record at home.

Saturday's win also saw Aizawl coach Khalid Jamil get the better of his former team Mumbai FC over both legs. In the first leg, Aizawl won 1-0 in Mumbai.

Aizawl now have 26 points from 12 games while eighth placed Mumbai FC remained winless for their 10th game in a row, having just nine points from 12 outings.

While the hosts fielded the same XI from their last tie, Mumbai ringed in three changes.

Asheer Akhtar, Munmun Lugun and Alex Willian came in place of Chinta Rao, Nikhil Kadam and Pratesh Shirodkar respectively.

As expected, the home side looked better equipped to take the lead in the initial exchanges.

In the 24th minute, Kamo and Mahmoud Amnah got two quick chances from inside the box but Mumbai FC's Mehrajuddin Wadoo used his experience to see off both efforts.

In-form home team winger Jayesh Rane looked good setting up a few moves as Aizawl controlled the game for long periods.

On the end of a flurry of attacks, visiting coach Santosh Kashyap took off U-22 player Clyde Fernandes for former East Bengal marksman Baljit Sahni.

The best chance of the half fell to Amnah when Mumbai FC goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani came out of his line hastily and R. Laldanmawia crossed for the Syrian, but instead of firing into the open net, the midfielder shot wide of the target.

The second half was all about Kamo's twin strikes as he first volleyed in Brandon Vanlalremdika's cross and then flicked home Amnah's pass from outside the penalty area.

--IANS

dm/ajb/vm