Aizawl FC win 2nd division; Promoted to I-League

The Aizawl FC players and staff celebrate after qualifying for the I-League

Aizawl FC from the capital city of Mizoram have qualified for the I-League by winning the second division. The club beat derby rivals Chanmari FC by a score of 4-2 to conquer the 2^nd division and get promoted to the highest division in Indian football.

Brandon Vanlalremdika scored the opening goal on the night and local lad Laldampuia curled a beautiful shot into the top corner to send the crowd into a frenzy. Alfred Jaryan scored the third goal while Laldampuia completed his brace to give Aizawl a 4-goal lead by the 60^th minute. Malsawmfela and Lalrosanga got consolation goals for Chanmari late in the match. The celebrations had already started for the team in red as they knew they would be rubbing shoulders with the best teams in the country in the 2015-16 season.

Aizawl FC are on 31 points from 13 matches with 1 match remaining while Lonestar Kashmir FC are second in the table on 27 points, with the top spot beyond reach for the team from the northern-most state of the country.

Aizawl FC was formed in 1984 and after years of playing amateur football, were given certification to compete in the second division by the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) in 2012.

Their team consists mainly of Indian players with 3 foreigners adorning the ranks. Emmanuel Chigozie and Morgan Justice from Nigeria and Alfred Jayran from Liberia are the only foreign players Aizawl have on their roster.