Mohan Bagan, East Bengal, Churchill Brothers and Dempo are the few names that pops up if one mentions Indian football clubs. However, Bengaluru FC came to the fore when they won two I-League titles in three years.
Now, in 2017, the unlikeliest of clubs, Mizoram’s Aizawl FC is on the verge of making history.
Mohan Bagan and Aizawl FC are locked into the title battle with the former needing only a win while the north eastern club will need a win by at least a 2-goal margin to clinch the title. Also read: EPL 2016-17: Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur face stern title tests
We look at players Aiawl FC players who played a pivotal role in the club’s fairytale journey.
Stephane Bayi Kamo (Striker)
Just like Jamie Vardy of Leicester City, Aizawl FC have seen their own striker, 20-year-old Stephane Bayi Kamo grab the headlines this season.
Leicester City is the English Premier League who scripted history in the 2015-16 season by clinching the title against all odds.
Kamo has been influential in steering his Aizawl FC to the top in the I-League. An Ivory Coast national, Kamo is the leading scorer of the club with 7 goals in 17 matches.
He was picked up by coach Khalid Jamil for Aizwal FC this season. An ardent Didier Drogba fan, both of them belong to Ivory Coast, Kamo is the son of an electrician.
Bought at a shoe-string budget, he was blossomed into a great finisher in the league despite some early season jitters.
He failed to score in his first seven games but after that he finally found his rhythm and seems unstoppable. He even scored a brace last month against the Churchill Brothers. Also read: Countdown begins for FIFA U-17 World Cup Final
His journey in India began in 2015. He joined Kolkata City Police club and later played for George Telegraph club.
This was followed by stints with Salgaocar and a few Goan clubs before being signed by Aizawl. The rest we know is history.
Ashutosh Mehta (Defender)
A good defence is the bedrock of a good in fact a title-challenging team. Clubs across Europe especially have defences so strong that even the mightiest of strikers fail to unlock them.
Just like strikers gets you goals, protecting these leads in the match is equally important and that’s where defenders come into the picture.
Ashutosh Mehta has been solid as a rock for the Aizawl outfit. Hailing from Mumbai, the mighty defender is set to write a new chapter in his footballing career with Aizawl FC.
He will be however be out for the title-decider match against Shillong Lajong FC due to suspension, his contribution throughout the league cannot be overlooked.
The Gujarat-born defender was booked in the matches against Mohun Bagan, Minerva Punjab, Bengaluru and Mumbai which led to his suspension.
Aizawl FC have been the most consistent side, backed by an imperious home run that has seen them win eight and draw one of the nine games they have hosted.
Mahmoud al Amna (Midfielder)
Hailing from the war-torn Aleppo in Syria, Mahmoud al Amna remains the backbone of Aizawl FC. A Syrian footballer who once donned their national colours was forced to flee his homeland and live abroad for a decade now.
His assuredness on the ball and sense of the state of play makes him a key figure in the Aizawl team.
The combination of Alfred Jaryan and Mahmoud Al Amna in the midfield has been a masterstroke from coach Khalid Jamil.
Al Amna remains the creative outlet. The Syrian is crafty, creative and has an eye for a goal his link-up play with Jaryan has been pleasing on the eye for all.
Liberian midfielder Alfred Jaryan will sadly be on the absentees’ list for the all-important clash agianst Shillong.
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