Aizawl FC (in red) and Aryan players tussle for the ball at Nehru Stadium in Guwahati on Monday. Picture by UB Photos

Guwahati, Jan. 6: Aizawl Football Club booked their maiden final berth in the Bharat Ratna Lokapriya Bordoloi Trophy Football Tournament defeating Calcutta outfit Aryan Club 3-1 in the first semi-final of the 62nd edition at Nehru Stadium here today.

The Mizoram side dominated the proceedings right from the word go by outplaying their Calcutta counterparts in all departments of the game.

Malsawmfela, receiving the ball, took a shot from the edge of the box but could only manage the safe hands of custodian Subhadeep Banerjee in the seventh minute.

Having received a free kick from a few steps away from the box, Malsawmfela’s powerful strike deflected from the lined up defenders only to find B. Zoramthara whose strike was well saved by the Aryan Club custodian in the 20th minute.

Lob Mandal’s free kick from around 20 yards failed to trouble the Aizawl FC custodian M.S. Dawngliana in the 26th minute.

With repeated inroads into the Aryan territory, the Aizawl side finally broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute.

David Lalrinmuana, making his way from the left flank, set the ball rolling to Rohningthanga’s foot. The latter made no mistake in providing the right elevation for C. Zothansanga to head the ball into the net.

Despite a goal’s cushion, the Aizawl team continued with their attacks which led to the cautioning of Aryan FC glovesman Subhadeep Banerjee for handling the ball outside the box in the 38th minute.

Pintu Singh of Aryan Club attempted a goal off a cross from substitute Chandrasish Dey in the left flank. However, his strike missed the woodwork in the 41st minute.

With the referee whistling for the start of the second half, the Aizawl side continued with their usual flare as shown before the lemon break.

C. Zothansanga having received a through pass from the midfield set the ball for Malsawmfela inside the box who failed to utilise the golden opportunity as it headed way above the crossbar in the 49th minute.

Malsawmfela, making his way into the box, was brought down inside the danger area by Tirthankar Ghosh. Malsawmfela took the spot kick himself and made no mistake in finding the left-hand corner of the net in the 51st minute.

The Calcutta side looked outplayed although Akil Molla saw the opportunity with the Aizawl custodian M.S. Dawngliana not in place. Molla’s shot from around 30-yard zone left Dawngliana gaping in the 63rd minute.

B. Zoramthara took full advantage of the 75th minute defence lapse to give his side the third goal. With an Aryan Club defender failing to clear the ball, Zoramthara’s lob was enough to find the target.

Another Calcutta team, Bhawanipore FC, will face Shillong Lajong FC in the second semi-finals tomorrow.

Handball: Chief minister Tarun Gogoi declared open the 36th National Junior Boys' Handball Championship in Jorhat today.