Jamil blames lapse in concentration, Meneses praises players

The Red and Gold tactician was not too fussed about his team letting a two-goal lead slip in their season opener.

Aizawl FC held Kolkata giants East Bengal to a 2-2 draw in a dramatic late finish at the Salt Lake Stadium in their opening match of the I-League on Tuesday.

Eduardo Ferreira (66’) opened the scoring for the hosts before Katsumi Yusa (72’) doubled the lead. However, William Lalnunfela (74’ and 90+4’) scored a brace that meant the Red and Gold could only muster one point against the defending champions at home.

The Red and Gold gaffer Khalid Jamil however did not look too worried with the result just before the Kolkata Derby on Sunday as he said, “We played well throughout the 90 mins but just a lapse of concentration in the closing moments of the game cost us three points.”

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When asked about whether this stalemate will affect his team in the derby he replied in a smart way saying, “The Derby is a different game. The Aizawl match is over and I don’t want to think on that but we"ll definitely try to correct the mistakes we made and not only the derby, all the matches are equally important for us.”

On the flip side, Aizawl FC’s Portuguese coach Paolo Meneses was very happy with the result as he said, “I would have been very happy with three points but after conceding two goals and than coming back strongly in an away game with fans at the back of the home team gives immense pleasure. I am really happy with my players. I have achieved the target with which I came to Kolkata.”

Aizawl next play an I-League game again on the 13th of December against Churchill Brothers. Paolo Meneses did not look worried at all with this long gap as he said, “We have the MPL (Mizo Premier League) matches semi-final and final in between to play so our players will get match time and fitness.”

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Both Kolkata clubs now head into the much-anticipated derby on Sunday with draws to their record. Champions of India, Aizawl FC began their title-defence with a draw and now face Churchill Brothers at home on December 13, 2017.