Sporting, Aizawl play to 1-1 draw in I-League

Hosts Sporting Clube de Goa were held to a 1-1 draw by Aizawl FC in an I-League football clash here on Wednesday.

Alfred Jaryan (28th minute) put Aizawl ahead before Mahmoud Al Amna (36th) restored parity.

Sporting now have 15 points after 13 matches and are fifth in the standings. Aizawl are just a spot behind with 13 points from 14 matches.

Aizawl came into the match on the back of a 1-3 defeat against Shillong Lajong FC.

They made their first notable attack in the 10th minute. They broke swiftly after defending a corner-kick and Alfred's left-footed shot at the end of the move went narrowly wide of the target.

Alfred then found himself in a great position to score in the 23rd minute but Sporting goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya came off his line to save the chipped effort.

However, the forward would not be denied five minutes later. Joel Sunday lead another Aizawl counter-attack before his miscued shot at the end of his run fell perfectly into the path of Alfred who slotted it away.

After going ahead, the visitors seemed mindful of protecting their advantage but conceded an equaliser only eight minutes later.

Al Amna scored with a left-footer from the edge of the box to make it 1-1.

The home team were the more adventurous towards the end of the first half but the score remained 1-1 going into the break.

Goal scoring chances were scarce in the second period and the match meandered to a draw.