Aizawl FC came from a goal down to beat Namdhari FC 2-1 and secure three points in its Indian Football League relegation stage fixture at the Deccan Arena in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Namdhari took the lead in the 43rd minute through a Timur Talipov own goal before Aizawl equalised in the 67th minute, courtesy another own goal, this time from Kamalpreet Singh Grewal. Substitute Zomuansanga completed the comeback in the 78th minute with a well-taken finish.

The win took Aizawl’s tally to 11 points and sent it to the top of the relegation stage, while Namdhari remained bottom with seven points.

Aizawl started brightly, using its familiarity with the artificial turf to keep possession and move the ball forward, especially down the left flank through Laltlanzova and Lalrempuia. Namdhari took time to settle but gradually grew into the game.

It created the first clear chance in the 15th minute when Seilenthang Lotjem found Rohit inside the box with a cross, but his glancing header was saved well by goalkeeper Vanlalhriatpuia. The Aizawl keeper commanded his area confidently, dealing with Namdhari’s set-pieces and long balls, which remained its main attacking threat in the first half.

The breakthrough came two minutes before half-time. Bhupinder Singh whipped a dangerous cross across the six-yard box and Talipov, while trying to clear, deflected the ball into his own net with the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

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Aizawl began the second half with more urgency and came close to equalising when Laltlanzova floated a cross towards the back post. Vanlalhriatzuala directed his header towards goal but was denied by a sharp reflex save from Namdhari goalkeeper Niraj Kumar. Moments later, Lalhriatpuia tested Niraj with a low shot from inside the box.

The People’s Club kept pressing and eventually found the equaliser through another own goal. Talipov released Malsawmzuala Tlangte down the right, and the winger burst past his marker before drilling a low cross into the box. Vanlalhriatzuala scuffed his attempt, but substitute Kamalpreet got his feet tangled while trying to clear and diverted the ball into his own net.

Eleven minutes later, Aizawl took the lead through a well-worked move down the left. Laltlanzova picked out Zomuansanga, who had been introduced only a few minutes earlier. The striker took a touch before firing a powerful low shot on the turn into the bottom corner.

Namdhari created a few chances late in the game and in stoppage time but lacked conviction in the final third as Aizawl held on to complete the comeback.

Published on Apr 29, 2026