Aizawl FC clinched their first I-League title on Sunday night after a draw against Northeast rivals Shillong Lajong meant they finished a point above Kolkata heavyweights Mohun Bagan – a stunning achievement for a club with one of the lowest budgets in Indian football.
To put it into perspective, Bagan splashed Rs 2 crore on Haitian forward Sony Norde – and Aizawl’s entire operating budget is reportedly around Rs 2.5 crore. On the final day of the season, Aizawl needed at least a point and Bagan had to win (which they did, 2-1 vs Chennai City). However, Aizawl went behind early in the game but fought back with a goal from William, after which they rode a storm to hold onto the 1-1 scoreline and be crowned champions.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the greatest underdog story of Indian football
#indianfootball too has this kind of crazy. #LAJvAFC @ILeagueOfficial #champion @AizawlFC https://t.co/mfYGDygz8a
— Manpai konyak nekong (@manpai_k) May 1, 2017
Aizawl FC show what’s possible if you #SupportLocalFootball. Amazing story, amazing people, amazing team
— Mihir Vasavda (@mihirsv) April 30, 2017
Only football can produce stories like this! Beautiful! Congratulations @AizawlFC! #LAJvAFC
— Bhargab Sarmah (@BhargabSarmah) April 30, 2017
#AizawlFC are champions of India! They’ve done a Leicester. Take a bow Khalid Jamil. Totally deserving. #AFC #ILeague @fni pic.twitter.com/jT1zhxjDlW
— Sahil Bhalla (@IMSahilBhalla) April 30, 2017
What have you done, KHALID!!! @AizawlFC we are all so proud of you! ♥️ https://t.co/ROLrp6vCNf
— Amreen (@goonergurl20) April 30, 2017
Goosebumps! What an end to the I-League season. Things like Aizawl’s title triumph makes football a beautiful game. Wow! Just Wow! #LAJvAFC
— Anish Anand (@testbowler) April 30, 2017
Forget the merger/AIFF status/ISL/fair/unfair. Forget everything.
Let’s just celebrate history. @AizawlFC you’ve won our hearts#LAJvAFC— Indranil Das Blah (@indranildasblah) April 30, 2017
AIZAWL ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF INDIA’S TOP FLIGHT LEAGUE! KHALID JAMIL HAS DONE THE UNTHINKABLE! #LAJvAFC
— Manasi (@ThatUnitedLady) April 30, 2017
#Aizawl: A team that played the season only to make up numbers in the I-League has gone on to win the title over giants of #indianfootball
— Tanuj Lakhina (@tanujlakhina) April 30, 2017
What a story! Well done @AizawlFC That was a superhuman effort. You have India at your feet. Revel! #LAJvAFC
— Aschwein (@AshwinMNair10) April 30, 2017
Been following #Indianfootball for a while but nothing like this in the recent past. Nothing! #LAJvAFC
— football news india (@fni) April 30, 2017
Little-known @AizawlFC! No one gave them a chance. Moist eyes in the house everywhere. Can’t write this stuff, absolutely cannot!! pic.twitter.com/w5F49oWhe5
— Arka Bhattacharya (@Heilige_Kugel) April 30, 2017
I didn’t really care when Leicester won the PL. But I’m smiling like there’s no tomorrow for @AizawlFC!
AND NEW CHAMPIONS OF INDIA!#LAJvAFC— Vijay.R.B (@TheBaronVj) April 30, 2017
No full page ad with cricketers,no bots,no bollywood,no first last day – Just passion & thats what football is all abt – @AizawlFC #LAJvAFC
— Goonerunny (@tushizap) April 30, 2017
Congratulations @AizawlFC on being crowned champions. Dreams do come true #LAJvAFC pic.twitter.com/bDkg90mqZh
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) April 30, 2017
True, die hard Arsenal fan who forget about North London derby because of this, wow! love you Aizawl. https://t.co/gPTXRLrlAx
— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramtp) April 30, 2017
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