By Rajarshi Chakrabarty
Luis Norton de Matos coached AIFF developmental side Indian Arrows seems to have finally evolved into a mature side and turned from a side conceding late goals to a side scoring late goals.The indomitable spirit of the young boys (U-19 side) was evident in their game against Aizawl as they robbed Aizawl of 2 points with a late penalty on the 89th minute to salvage a 2-2 draw at the Tilak Maidan, Goa on Friday.
Arrows have already made themselves known for their incessant intensity and pace they play throughout the game and it was evident on Friday against Aizawl as the young colts came from a goal down twice to steal 1 point.
Aizawl opened the scoring on the 40th minute as Masih Saigani picked up a loose ball from Andrei Ionescu to slot it past Arrows keeper Prabhsukhan Gill to make it 1-0, as Aizawl went into the break with a one-goal lead.
Back in the second half, it took Arrows just 3 minutes into the second half to make it 1-1 through an Edmund Lalrindika strike on the 48th minute.Edmund found himself at the end of a brilliant cross from Ashish Rai down the right flank and his intelligent cutback created space away from two defenders and the Mizo lad finished it off with brilliant curler past Avilash Paul to even the scores.
As the match proceeded towards an hour mark, Aizawl managed to get a lead into the game in the 54th minute as Dodoz managed to meet a low cross from Zohmingmawia to make it 2-1.
Aizawl FC faced an incessant wave of attack as Arrows continued their high paced game using the flanks and quick one-two looking for an equalizer.Luis Norton de Matos went all out looking for an equalizer as he introduced Suresh Singh Wangjam and Rahim Ali to add more teeth to the Arrows attack.
Deep into the second half Arrows were finally rewarded as a tired Lalrosanga brought down Rahul Balan inside the box on the 87th minute and the referee pointed to the spot without any second thought.
C.Lalrosanga was sent off following his second yellow card as Aizawl FC were reduced ten men going into the final minutes of the game.
Amarjit Kiyam made no mistake from the spot to steal a last-gasp equalizer on the 89th minute to make it 2-2 for the Arrows. With the points shared Indian Arrows are now placed on 8th spot with 15 points while defending champions Aizawl FC continues their mid-table battle under new Coach, Santosh Kashyap placed at 6th spot with 18 points as they face Shillong Lajong in the north-eastern derby on 19th February 2018 at the JLN Stadium, Shillong.
