Aizawl FC Face Punjab FC in Battle Between Two Former Champions

Aizawl, Dec 19 (PTI) Aizawl FC will be eying for their first home win of the season when they face Punjab FC in an I-League match between two former champions at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Thursday.

Aizawl FC played out a 1-1 draw against defending champions Chennai City FC in their previous outing at home, a result which put them at sixth place in the table with five points. They had played out a goal-less draw against Mohun Bagan at home in the season opening match.

The 2016-17 I-League champions have an exciting young squad at their disposal but have lacked in terms of tenacity and scoring goals.

Players like William Lalnunfela and Joe Zoeherliana have caused serious trouble to their opponents, with the former having already found the back of the net twice. However, Aizawl's strike force have struggled to display any killer instinct so far.

Speaking ahead of the match, head coach Stanley Rozario said, "As the league is progressing, my young players are also getting better. I'm happy with the performance of my team so far. We have won an away match and drawn two home matches against Mohun Bagan and defending champions Chennai City FC."

"Against Mohun Bagan and Chennai City, we created many scoring opportunities but we could not convert them. My new Malian striker Kanoute is hospitalised and I'm managing with young Mizoram players. They are working hard and they will definitely start converting the scoring chances. I hope my players will give their best and try to score and win against Punjab FC."

Punjab FC, on the other hand, have been in fine fettle, notching up seven points from a possible nine, making the most of a favourable run of three fixtures on the trot at home. However, in the only time they played outside Ludhiana this season, they ended in defeat as they lost 0-3 to Churchill Brothers FC.

Head coach Yan Law weighed in on the importance of earning their first away win.

"All our games are very important, but this one against Aizawl is slightly different as we need to win this game and get our first away points," he said.

Yan, who turns 27 on December 24, has already mentioned to his players what he wants on his birthday.

"Things are looking very positive at this moment and a win will give me tremendous joy as that is what I asked the boys for my birthday. It will take us to the top of the table."

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