2016–17 Aizawl FC season explained

Season:2016–17
League Topscorer:
Kamo Stephane Bayi (7)
Season Topscorer:
Kamo Stephane Bayi (7)
Highest Attendance:11,000 vs Mohun Bagan
(22 April 2017)[1]
Lowest Attendance:
(10 February 2017)[2]
Average Attendance:6,943[3]
Pattern Sh1:_white stripes
Pattern So1:_2 white stripes
Leftarm1:FF0000
Body1:FF0000
Rightarm1:FF0000
Shorts1:FF0000
Socks1:FF0000
Pattern Sh2:_red stripes
Pattern So2:_2 red stripes
Leftarm2:FFFFFF
Body2:FFFFFF
Rightarm2:FFFFFF
Shorts2:FFFFFF
Socks2:FFFFFF
Nextseason:2017–18

The 2016–17 season is the 33rd season in the history of Aizawl Football Club and their second in the I-League, India's top flight professional football league. The season began on 1 August 2016 and will conclude in May 2017. The club ended the I-League campaign as the champions after they were reinstated into the league after they were relegated the previous season. The club will also participate in the Federation Cup while they also made it to the semi-finals of the Mizoram Premier League and the Durand Cup.

Due to I-League regulations, despite finishing the season in 9th, over bottom placed DSK Shivajians, Aizawl were still relegated from the league in 2015–16. However, due to the withdrawal of the Goan clubs, Dempo, Salgaocar, and Sporting Goa, the club were reinstated into the league. The club brought in Khalid Jamil as the head coach who replaced caretaker Jahar Das. Jamil brought with him two of his former players from his previous club Mumbai in Ashutosh Mehta and Jayesh Rane. He also had the club sign goalkeeper Albino Gomes on loan from Mumbai City. In the foreigners department, the club retained Alfred Jaryan while also signing former Syria international Mahmoud Amnah as well as defender Kingsley Obumneme[4] and forward Kamo Stephane Bayi.

The club started the season by participating in the Durand Cup and Mizoram Premier League, the top football league in their home state of Mizoram. Jamil, as well as the new player signings, were not with the club during these tournaments. The club made it to the semi-finals of the Durand Cup before being eliminated by Army Green. Aizawl then finished the regular season of the Mizoram Premier League in third place, qualifying for the league semi-finals. They took on Chanmari, losing both legs of the tie 4–1 and 2–1 respectively. Once Jamil and the new players arrived, the club prepared for the I-League season. Aizawl started the season strong, winning three of their opening five matches in January. The club then won four of their six matches in February and four of their last seven matches to win the title. The title was confirmed on the final game of the season against Shillong Lajong in a 1–1 draw.

Background

See main article: 2015–16 I-League. Aizawl earned the promotion to 2015–16 I-League by winning 2015 I-League 2nd Division. In spite of spirited performances, Aizawl ended up at the bottom of table and were scheduled to be relegated. However, due to withdrawal of Goan clubs, Aizawl given another opportunity to play in I-League.[5]

Squad changes

In

No.PositionPlayerPrevious clubDateRef
4 Lalrinzuala Khiangte Zo United24 June 2016
37 Lalhriatrenga24 June 2016
21 July 2016
14 Benjamin Eniwo Onome2 October 2016
3 Dinthar22 December 2016
522 December 2016
922 December 2016
17 Chanmari West22 December 2016
1822 December 2016
322 January 2017
612 January 2017

Out

No.PositionPlayerNew clubDateRef
1 Soram AnganbaJune 2016
June 2016
June 2016
June 2016
June 2016
June 2016
June 2016
June 2016
19 December 2016
14 Benjamin Eniwo Onome19 December 2016

Loan in

No.PositionPlayerClubStart dateRef
23 V Laltanpuia Mizoram PoliceDecember 2016
1 Albino Gomes2 January 2017
14 Jayesh Rane2 January 2017
362 January 2017

Durand Cup

See main article: 2016 Durand Cup. Aizawl were drawn in Group B with Indian Air Force, Dempo, Army Red, NEROCA, and Real Kashmir. With three wins, a draw and a loss, Aizawl topped the group and qualified for the semi-finals. However, they lost to eventual champions Army Green in penalty shoot-out, after the game ended 3–3 after the extra time.[6]

Group B

Semi-final

Mizoram Premier League

See main article: 2016–17 Mizoram Premier League.

After participating in the Durand Cup Aizawl returned to Mizoram to take part in the fifth season of the Mizoram Premier League, the top football league in the state. Aizawl opened their campaign on 15 September 2016 against Zo United at the AR Lammual Stadium. They took the lead early in the third minute through a penalty won by foreign import Bright Middleton and converted by Lalramchullova. Brandon Vanlalremdika doubled Aizawl's advantage right before halftime through a volley from outside the box and William Lalnunfela finished Zo United off in the 82nd minute as Aizawl won 3–0.[7] Aizawl succumbed to their first defeat of the season in their second match against Chanmari. Former Aizawl player Malsawmfela scored the only goal of the match as Aizawl fell 1–0.[8] Two days later, Aizawl suffered their second consecutive defeat when they lost 1–0 to Bethlehem VT. Lalrammuanpuia scored the only goal of the match for Bethlehem VT.[9] Following the two defeats, Aizawl looked to turn things around against Chhinga Veng. Despite going down early in the fourth minute through Vanlallawma, late goals from Lalramchullova and Lalnuntluanga helped Aizawl comeback to win 2–1.[10] The side then ended the month with a 0–0 draw against bottom placed Dinthar.[11]

Semi-finals

Leg 1
  • Leg 2
  • I-League

    See main article: 2016–17 I-League. Before I-League, Aizawl hired former Indian international and Mumbai F.C. coach, Khalid Jamil.

    January

    Aizawl began their I-League campaign against the title-contenders East Bengal F.C. on 7 January 2017. Aizawl took the lead towards the end of the first half with Gurwinder Singh's own goal, however Ivan Bukenya's last minute strike salvaged a point for the hosts. In the first home game of the season, against I-League debutant Minerva Punjab F.C., Aizawl seemed to be heading for another draw until Loveday Enyinnaya's own goal in the stoppage time earned them a win.[12]

    Matches

    League table

    Federation Cup

    See main article: 2016–17 Indian Federation Cup.

    Group stage

    Aizawl were drawn with East Bengal, Chennai City and Churchill Brothers in Group A. Aizawl took on Chennai City in the opening game. Aizawl were trailing by 2 goals at the end of the first half, but came back strongly in the second half to score 3 goals and win the game. Aizawl took an early lead in the second game against Churchill Brothers, but in the closing minutes Churchill Brothers earned a penalty and converted. Aizawl fought back to score the winner in the 90th minute and secured a spot in the semi-finals. In the dead-rubber game against East Bengal neither team managed a goal and split a point each and Aizawl topped the group.

    Group A

    Semi-finals

    In the semi-final, Aizawl faced Group B runner-up, Bengaluru FC. Aizawl conceded the lead in the 8th minute when Alwyn George was fouled inside the box and Bengaluru were awarded the penalty and Cameron Watson successfully converted the penalty. Bengaluru had more scoring opportunities but could not extend their lead. Aizawl were given the penalty seconds before the final whistle, but Amrinder Singh saved Lalramchullova and ended Aizawl's Federation Cup campaign.[13]

    Aftermath

    End of the season awards by I-League, Khalid Jamil won the Syed Abdul Rahim Best Coach award and Alfred Jaryan won the Best Midfielder award.[14]

    Technical staff

    PositionName
    Team Manager Hmingthana Zadeng
    Head Coach Khalid Jamil
    Assistant coach Abdul Azim Siddique

    Player statistics

    Appearances and goals

    |-! colspan=10 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Goalkeepers|-! colspan=10 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Defenders|-|-! colspan=10 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Midfielders|-|-! colspan=10 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Forwards|-

    Updated: 14 May 2017

    Top scorers

    width=150Playerwidth=80I-Leaguewidth=80Federation Cupwidth=80Total
    132FWKamo Stephane Bayi707
    217MFLaldanmawia Ralte336
    36MFalign=left Mahmoud Amnah213
    30MFBrandon Vanlalremdika303
    527DFalign=left Lalramchullova112
    16MFalign=left Jayesh Rane202
    65DFalign=left Zohmingliana Ralte101
    36DFAshutosh Mehta101
    39DFLalruatthara101
    49FWWilliam Lalnunfela101
    TOTALS22527

    Source: soccerway
    Updated: 14 May 2017

    Clean sheets

    width=150Playerwidth=80I-Leaguewidth=80Federation Cupwidth=80Total
    11GKAlbino Gomes808
    21GKLalawmpuia011
    TOTALS819

    Source: soccerway
    Updated: 14 May 2017

    Disciplinary record

    PlayerI-LeagueFederation CupTotalNotes
    width=34; background:#fe9;"width=34; background:#ff8888;"width=34; background:#fe9;"width=34; background:#ff8888;"width=34; background:#fe9;"width=34; background:#ff8888;"
    13DFKingsley Obumneme601070Missed a game, against Minerva Punjab (4 yellow cards)
    (11 March 2017)
    239MFLalruatthara501050Missed a game, against Churchill Brothers (4 yellow cards)
    (10 February 2017)
    320MFAlfred Jaryan400040Missed a game, against Shillong Lajong (4 yellow cards)
    (30 April 2017)
    36MFAshutosh Mehta400040Missed a game, against Shillong Lajong (4 yellow cards)
    (30 April 2017)
    55DFZohmingliana Ralte300030
    6DFMahmoud Amnah201030
    71GKAlbino Gomes101020
    5DFLalrinzuala Khiangte200020
    16FWJayesh Rane200020
    27DFLalramchullova101020
    1117MFLaldanmawia Ralte100010
    32FWKamo Stephane Bayi100010
    49FWWilliam Lalnunfela100010
    TOTALS33050380

    Source: soccerway
    Updated: 14 May 2017

    See also

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Match Report: Aizawl vs. Mohun Bagan . The All India Football Federation . 30 April 2017.
    2. Web site: Match Report: Aizawl vs. Churchill Brothers. The All India Football Federation. 30 April 2017.
    3. Web site: Attendance. WorldFootball. 30 April 2017.
    4. News: AIZAWL FC ANNOUNCES A STRING OF SIGNINGS. 22 December 2016. theindianleague.in. 22 December 2016.
    5. News: Bilgi. Sumedh. Aizawl FC reinstated in the I-League. 26 September 2016. Goal.com. 26 September 2016.
    6. Web site: Durand Cup: Army Green pip Aizawl FC in penalties to enter final. 9 September 2016.
    7. News: Aizawl FC beat Zo United 3-0 to open their MPL 5 campaign. 1 May 2017. The Home of Indian Football. 15 September 2016.
    8. News: Aizawl FC stunned 0-1 by Chanmari FC in MPL 5. 1 May 2017. The Home of Indian Football. 21 September 2016.
    9. News: Aizawl FC suffer consecutive defeats; go down 0-1 to BVT FC in MPL 5. 1 May 2017. The Home of Indian Football. 22 September 2016.
    10. News: Aizawl FC beat Chhinga Veng to end their(sic) losing streak in MPL 5. 1 May 2017. The Home of Indian Football. 27 September 2016.
    11. News: Aizawl FC held by bottom placed Dinthar FC in MPL 5. 1 May 2017. The Home of Indian Football. 29 September 2016.
    12. Web site: I-League 2017: Aizawl FC 1-0 Minerva Punjab - Supersub Ashutosh wins it at the death. 13 January 2017.
    13. Web site: Federation Cup 2017: Aizawl FC 0-1 Bengaluru FC - Watson's strike sends Blues to the finale. Manasi. Pathak. 14 May 2017. Goal.com.
    14. Web site: Sunil Chhetri wins the 'Hero of the League' award. 2 May 2017.