Crafty Khalid works his magic
“Had never imagined (that we would come this far),” Aizawl FC head coach Khalid Jamil told Hindustan Times.
Last season, the northeastern outfit were staring down the barrel. They had finished above the sole relegation spot, but were relegated as bottom-placed DSK Shivajians had a three-year relegation immunity.
After the joint-pullout of the Goan clubs ahead of this season, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) had no choice but to reinstate Aizawl FC into the topflight. When Jamil took over the club’s reins, he had little time on his hands to prepare for the new campaign.
“When I first arrived, I realised we needed reinforcements for a few positions. We were a bit short in the right back position, in attacking midfield. We also needed one more striker and a goalkeeper,” he says.
Aizawl FC’S player recruitments over the winter turned out to be very shrewd. Among them were former Mumbai FC players Ashutosh Mehta and Jayesh Rane, Jamil’s own proteges. Kamo Stephane Bayi, Mahmoud Al Amna and Kingsley Eze were the three overseas additions, while other key signings included former Shillong Lajong and Pune FC defender Zohmingliana Ralte and goalkeeper Albino Gomes.
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. As their 1-0 win over Mohun Bagan last weekend revealed, this is a much more mature side than the one from last season.