AFC Champions League Playoff: Zob Ahan vs Aizawl FC, 5 Talking Points

Aizawl FC
Aizawl FC

#3 Avilash Paul makes numerous saves

Avilash Paul
Avilash Paul

While they managed to go into half-time with the score at 1-1, it was a case of literally hanging on by the skin of their teeth for Aizawl.

The pressure from Zob Ahan was relentless; the Iranian side particularly exploited the lack of height in the Aizawl side by whipping in crosses with alarming regularity. Winger Syed Reza Hosseini, in particular, was posing huge problems for Aizawl down their left flank.

It was a case of throwing everything in the way with goalkeeper Avilash Paul making some very good saves to keep Zob Ahan out.

Paul will probably require a good massage after this game for he made saves with his feet, his hands, his face and even his backside on one occasion, using the entirety of his frame as his defence was opened up constantly.

They also rode their luck a bit as Zob Ahan continued to miss a lot of fairly easy chances that came their way. The biggest of the lot came in the 77th minute when Bakhtiar Rahmani, after receiving a superb flick pass from Kiros, struck the crossbar from the middle of the penalty box. It was a huge let-off for Aizawl.

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Edited by Argha Bhattacharya
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