Chirag begin with 2-1 win over inexperienced AIFF XI

KOLKATA - Kolkata’s Chirag United logged full points with a 2-1 victory over an experienced AIFF XI in their opening I-League match here Friday.

The giant Salt Lake stadium, having a 1.20 lakh capacity, was almost empty on the inaugural day of the I-League, the most glamorous of India’s football events.

Chirag went into the lead within the third minute as a long ball from the midfield found Josimaar Da Silva, who released an unguarded Elijah Junior with a cross. Junior made no mistake in putting the ball home. Midfielder Lalrindika, who had a good day, scored with a 35-yard pile driver 18 minutes later to restore parity.

Junior, however, got his second goal close to the half time whistle to make the scoreline 2-1. AIFF defender Vishal Kumar failed to adjust to the bounce of the ball and Joshimar did the spadework for Junior to find the net.

The youngsters of the AIFF were done in by a porous defence, that committed blunders one after another.