Aizawl’s Debutant Luis Rodriguez Stuns Churchill Brothers with Last-Minute Equalizer
Aizawl: Colombian striker Luis Rodriguez made a dream debut in the I-League, scoring a dramatic injury-time equalizer to help Aizawl FC secure a 1-1 draw against league leaders Churchill Brothers at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium on Monday, February 17, 2025. Despite being on the back foot for most of the game, Aizawl managed to salvage a crucial point with their only shot on target, as reported by the AIFF Media Team.
Churchill Brothers, who dominated possession and created numerous goal-scoring opportunities, initially took the lead in the 60th minute. South African forward Wayde Lekay calmly converted a penalty, marking his 10th goal of the tournament. However, their grip on the game weakened after Colombian defender Jose Luis Moreno received a second yellow card in the 74th minute, reducing Churchill to 10 men.
The result was a frustrating one for Churchill Brothers, who missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table. They now have 28 points from 15 matches, with eight wins, four draws, and three losses. Meanwhile, Aizawl FC, currently 11th in the standings, will take great confidence from their resilient performance, especially after suffering a heavy 0-6 defeat in their previous encounter against Churchill last month. The Reds now stand at 11 points from 15 matches.
Match Highlights
Churchill Brothers entered the match with a structured approach, controlling possession and dictating the tempo. However, despite their dominance, they struggled to break down a disciplined Aizawl defense in the early exchanges. The best chance of the first half came in the 40th minute when Kingslee Fernandes orchestrated a swift attacking move, linking up with Sebastian Gutierrez and Rafiq Aminu. The Ghanaian forward attempted a clever finish, but Aizawl goalkeeper Rafique Ali Sardar made a crucial save.
Two minutes later, Churchill’s Lalliansanga Renthlei nearly broke the deadlock with a long-range effort, only to be denied by Sardar, who tipped the ball onto the woodwork. Aizawl had a rare opportunity right before halftime when Churchill’s goalkeeper Sayad Bin Abdul Kadir made an uncharacteristic error. His clearance fell dangerously close to Malsawmzuala Tlangte, but the Aizawl forward failed to capitalize as his deflection narrowly missed the target.
Turning Points
The game took a significant turn in the 60th minute when Churchill Brothers were awarded a penalty after Aizawl defender Zothanpuia made a reckless challenge on Aminu inside the box. Lekay confidently stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, putting Churchill ahead.
However, Aizawl FC received a lifeline in the 74th minute when Churchill’s Jose Luis Moreno was sent off after picking up a second yellow card. With a numerical advantage, Aizawl intensified their search for an equalizer and eventually found success deep into stoppage time.
In a chaotic goalmouth scramble, the ball landed at the feet of debutant Luis Rodriguez, who kept his composure and struck a low shot past the Churchill defense to secure a dramatic equalizer. The late goal stunned Churchill Brothers, who desperately tried to regain the lead, but Aizawl’s defense and goalkeeper stood firm to deny them a winner.
Looking Ahead
The draw leaves Churchill Brothers disappointed as they missed an opportunity to strengthen their lead in the title race. Meanwhile, Aizawl FC will take confidence from this hard-fought result, hoping to build on the momentum in their upcoming fixtures. Churchill Brothers will need to regroup quickly as they aim to maintain their top position, while Aizawl will look to use this morale-boosting result to climb higher in the standings.
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