Party time: Aizawl FC players celebrate after winning the I-League crown in Shillong on Sunday. They drew with Lajong FC 1-1 in their last league tie.
A wave of euphoria swept one of India’s footballing hot spots as Aizawl FC climbed the I-League podium on Sunday.
It was far from easy. In the final game of the season, they were tested to the hilt by fellow North-East club Shillong Lajong FC in front of 23,000 fans at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
In the end, the club from Mizoram achieved what they set out for, taking the one point they needed with a gritty 1-1 draw to trigger wild celebrations.
Lajong went ahead in the ninth minute through A Dipanda Dicka but Aizawl equalised in the 67th minute through William Lalnunfela.
While Aizawl needed the draw to win the title, their only rivals for the crown, Mohun Bagan had to defeat Chennai City FC in their last match and hope for a Lajong victory in Shillong. Bagan defeated Chennai City 2-1 in Kolkata but it made no difference. Aizawl ended the league on 37 points while Bagan finished second on 36.
The match started in furious pace and star striker Dicka powered Lajong ahead through a header following a fine cross from Redeem Tlang on the left. In the 23rd minute Dicka was brought down just outside the box and Issac almost converted the resulting free-kick. Only a desperate save by Albino Gomes denied Lajong.
Mahmoud Al Amna missed an opportunity to restore parity for Aizawl at the half hour mark when his scorcher of a shot when just over the bar.
Aizawl's ill luck continued and in the 36th minute, Bayi Stephane backheeled the ball goalward with Vishal rooted to the spot. Luckily for Lajong, Redeem cleared it off the line.
Crossing over, Aizawl stepped up the attack and Jayesh Rane was guilty of missing out twice in the 55th minute, shooting the ball over the goal. At the stroke of the hour, Lalnunfela headed one in, but was ruled off-side.
Aizawl finally struck gold when Lalnunfela slammed the ball in off a rebound from the crossbar. They still had to withstand some nervous moments before the final whistle arrived, signalling a change of guard in Indian football.
The match was not without controversy as Aizawl played under protest after finding out that the game would be conducted by officials from Bengal. Aizawl lodged a complaint with AIFF, saying it was “unfair” since the other title contenders Bagan, from Kolkata, were also playing a crucial match against Chennai.