After trailing 2-0, Karnataka rallies to win a point against Mizoram, while Delhi scores all three points

Mizoram:Delhi scores all four points, while Karnataka rallies from two behind to win a point against Mizoram.

Mizoram appeared to be winning the three points easily after goals from MC Malsawmzuala and MS Dawngliana had given them the lead. However, Karnataka displayed their winning mentality by scoring two goals in as many minutes in the second half, thanks to goals from Prabin Tigga and Vishal R, to salvage a draw. This was Karnataka’s second straight tie following their 1-1 loss against Delhi on Thursday. After losing to Maharashtra 1-3 in the first game, Mizoram has now started its tally.

After a breathtaking play between Dawngliana and Malsawmzuala, Mizoram gained the lead. The first player found the second with a brilliant behind-the-back flick, and the player finished with a half-volley that was perfectly struck and went parabolic. In the 34th minute, the 2014 champions could have taken a bigger advantage if R Malsawmtluanga hadn’t missed his opening attempt. But he was engaged at the other end as well, making a vital goal-line stop to keep D Sheltohn Paul from equalizing in the very next minute.

In the second half, Mizoram started the game more quickly and extended their advantage following yet another outstanding build-up. With some deft agility, Winger Lalthankima defeated Tigga and clipped it in from the by-line. Malsawmzuala arrived at the end of the cross and with a first-time shot hammered it into the bottom corner.

Karnataka, however, was far from finished. The game was turned on its head by two goals in two minutes by Ravi Babu Raju’s team. Tigga was there at the back post to bundle in Nikhil Raj’s cross that had sneaked past F Lalmuanawma’s hands in the 67th minute. Then, Sathish Kumar found Vishal R in the final third with a fantastic through pass. Lalmuanawma was caught off guard as the latter took his time and carefully placed it.

In their late match versus Maharashtra, Manipur
Manipur managed to secure their first victory of the last round with a goal two minutes remaining in the afternoon kickoff. To elegantly secure the three points, defender Ningombam Kabiraj Singh scored a fantastic twisting shot from about 35 yards out. In the fourteenth minute, Maharashtra took the lead by a header from Azfar Noorani after a looping cross from Satish Hawaldar. When Rojen Meetei Wahengbam headed into Maibam Deny Singh’s corner in the 40th minute, it was canceled out.

Delhi also secured their first victory of the championship round, thumping Railways 4-0 without having to do much effort. In the 34th minute, Vivek Kumar gave the capital side the lead with a solid header after Dhruv Sharma crossed the ball. Railways handed over the ball cheaply in their own box early in the second half, and Delhi captain Jaideep Singh easily took advantage of it. Milind Negi headed into a corner in the 68th minute, and Jaideep added another goal in the 76th, finishing with a tap-in after Raja Barman had saved Dhruv’s long-range attempt, which had fallen into his path.