I-League Report: East Bengal beat Lajong to remain at top; Bayi Kamo brace keeps Aizwal FC at second spot

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Aizwal/ Shillong: The 12th week action of I-League continued with the battle for the top spot, between Aizwal FC and East Bengal. Dual strikes from Bayi Kamo comfortably eased the North-east club atop. However, a brave from Chris Payne relieved the East Bengal side from a shocker as they regained the position of league topper.

Aizwal FC vs Mumbai FC (2-0) -

Bayi Kamo struck twice in the second half as Aizawl FC defeated Mumbai FC 2-0 to temporarily move to the top of the I-League table here on Saturday.

The Ivorian striker scored in the 65th and 78th minutes to help Aizawl maintain their unbeaten record at home.

Saturday`s win also saw Aizawl coach Khalid Jamil get the better of his former team Mumbai FC over both legs. In the first leg, Aizawl won 1-0 in Mumbai.

Aizawl now have 26 points from 12 games while eighth placed Mumbai FC remained winless for their 10th game in a row, having just nine points from 12 outings.

While the hosts fielded the same XI from their last tie, Mumbai ringed in three changes.

Asheer Akhtar, Munmun Lugun and Alex Willian came in place of Chinta Rao, Nikhil Kadam and Pratesh Shirodkar respectively.

As expected, the home side looked better equipped to take the lead in the initial exchanges.

In the 24th minute, Kamo and Mahmoud Amnah got two quick chances from inside the box but Mumbai FC`s Mehrajuddin Wadoo used his experience to see off both efforts.

In-form home team winger Jayesh Rane looked good setting up a few moves as Aizawl controlled the game for long periods.

The second half was all about Kamo`s twin strikes as he first volleyed in Brandon Vanlalremdika`s cross and then flicked home Amnah`s pass from outside the penalty area.

East Bengal vs Shillong Lajong FC (2-1) -

Riding on a double from Chris Payne, East Bengal regained their place at the top of the table by edging past Shillong Lajong FC 2-1 in an I-League football game here on Saturday.

Payne (9th, 33rd) scored a first half brace while I-league top-scorer Dipanda Dicka (64th) netted his ninth goal of the season but it proved to be in vain.

The win took Trevor Morgan`s team to 27 points from 12 games, one ahead of second placed Aizawl FC who won 2-0 earlier in the day. Lajong have 16 points from 11 outings.

The visitors took the lead within nine minutes, Payne making the most of some slack defending and goalkeeping by Lajong to score his first goal for the visitors.

Three minutes later, coach Thangboi Singto`s wards almost drew level but Dicka put Isaac Vanlalsawma`s delectable cross inches wide.

The whole stadium started celebrating when Bipin Singh dragged a thunderous volley just wide after creating the move by setting up Vanlalsawma, whose initial shot was half cleared by East Bengal defenders.

Bipin was outstanding in the half, carving out a delicious chance for Samuel Shadap.

But just when it looked like the hosts were spurred after the early setback, East Bengal doubled their tally against the run of play.

Payne was at it again, chesting down a free kick calmly from the halfway line and slotting home a volley with keeper Vishal Kaith left stranded as East Bengal went into the break 2-0 up.

In the second half, the home team started with more flair and got their reward four minutes into the hour mark.