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Aizawl FC goalkeeper Lalawmpuia has agreed to extend his contract, the I-League champions have confirmed. “Goalkeeper Lalawmpuia (AwP-a) extends his stay at The People’s Club. Thank you AwP-a,” states an official statement made by the club.
The 25-year-old goalkeeper joined Aizawl FC on 1 January 2016 and has stayed at the club since then. He made his professional debut against Mohun Bagan on 21 March 2016 where his side won 2-1. However, his experience in the top tier has been a bitter one. So far, the presence of Albino Gomes last term and Avilash Paul this time have limited the appearance of the local custodian.
Considered as one of the best Mizo goalkeepers of his generation, Lalawmpuia or simply AwP-a has been adjudged as the Best Goalkeeper of the Mizoram Premier League (MPL) for four consecutive years from 2012-13 to 2015-16 editions of the MPL. It is also worth mentioning that the Mizoram born goalkeeper was part of the 2014 Santosh Trophy winning team.
Pros and cons
Although the statement made by the club did not mention the duration of the contract, it seems the move can have both positive and negative impact on the player. There is no doubt that AwP-a is a good goalkeeper who is reliable even at the highest stage. Nevertheless, the presence of former East Bengal goalkeeper Avilash Paul has derailed his career until now.
Aizawl FC registered four custodians for the 2017/18 I-League namely – Avilash Paul, the experienced Arup Debnath, local lad H.Lalremruata and Lalawmpuia himself. The-22-year-old Avilash Paul has played every minute of Aizawl FC's matches this campaign, conceding just 6 goals in 8 matches, the second-best in the league so far.
The former East Bengal, Air India and Pune FC shot-stopper Debnath was named as substitute in two matches against Churchill Brothers and Shillong Lajong. AwP-a filled the slots in the remaining six matches.
With Avilash Paul getting the lion’s share, it is high time the Mizo boy bounce back to his best to win the confidence of the coach. Or, at just 25, we may say he can still revive his career even after his new contract is over.
