The 2023–24 season was Aizawl's 40th competitive season and its seventh competitive season in the I-League, India's top-flight professional football league.[1][2][3][4] Aizawl lost the opening match of their season to Mohammedan on 29 January 2023.[5] Their last two games of the season, to be played at home, were cancelled after their opponents TRAU and NEROCA refused to travel to Aizawl citing security concerns.[6]
Managerial changes
On 2 September 2023, the club appointed Erol Akbay as its head coach for the season.[7] Although they have seen their head coach Erol Akbay leave after the first match against Mohammedan SC by mutual agreement.[8] A day later, B. Malsawmzuala was appointed as interim head coach. On 23 January 2024, the club appointed Stojkoski Bobi as head coach for rest of the season.[9]
Technical staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach |  Stojkoski Bobi
|
| Assistant coach |  Malsawmzuala Sailo
|
| Manager | F. Lalrinmawia
|
Squad information
First-team players
- As of 1 June 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Extended contracts
| Date | Position | Player | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 May 2023 | GK | Vanlalhriatpuia
|
|
| 11 September 2023 | DF | Lalchhawnkima
|
Transfers
In
| Position | Player | Previous club | Date | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FW | Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia
|
Chhinga Veng
|
13 June 2023 | |
| GK | Joel B Lalramchhana
|
Venghunai FC
|
14 July 2023 | |
| MF | Lalbiakdika
|
Bethlehem FC
|
16 July 2023 | |
| MF | Zomuansanga
|
Chennaiyin B
|
26 July 2023 | |
| DF | Lalfamkima
|
Minerva Academy
|
26 July 2023 | |
| DF | Joe Zoherliana
|
NorthEast United
|
31 August 2023 | |
| DF | Supriyo Ghosh
|
Kidderpore
|
01 September 2023 | |
| MF | Aditya Saha
|
Kidderpore
|
01 September 2023 | |
| DF | Prosenjit Chakraborty
|
Kidderpore
|
01 September 2023 | |
| MF | Subhanil Ghosh
|
Diamond Rock FC
|
01 September 2023 | |
| FW | Fredsan Marshall
|
ARA FC
|
01 September 2023 | |
| DF |  Ivan Maric
|
 Satdobato Youth Club
|
02 September 2023 | |
| FW | Bawlte Rohmingthanga
|
United SC
|
03 September 2023 | |
| GK | Nora Fernandes
|
Churchill Brothers
|
04 September 2023 | |
| MF | Lalthankhuma
|
Calcutta Customs
|
17 September 2023 | |
| FW | Joseph Lalvenhima
|
Chennaiyin B
|
20 September 2023 | |
| GK | Vishal Joon
|
Rajasthan United
|
30 September 2023 | |
| MF |  Gustavo
|
 Chanthaburi
|
30 September 2023 | |
| MF |  Rafał Zaborowski
|
LKS Goczałkowice-Zdrój
|
22 October 2023 | |
| FW |  Amir Memari
|
 Persipa Pati
|
15 January 2024 |
Loans in
| Date | Pos | Nationality | Player | Loaned from | Until | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 July 2023 | DF |
|
Lalhrezuala Sailung | Odisha | 31 May 2024 | |
| 30 August 2023 | DF |
|
Laldanmawia | Hyderabad B | 31 May 2024 | |
| 04 September 2023 | MF |
|
Sheikh Sahil | Jamshedpur | 31 May 2024 |
Out
| Date | No. | Position | Player | To | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 June 2023 | DF | Lalchhawnkima
|
Bhawanipore
|
||
| 09 June 2023 | 28 | MF | Jeremy Laldinpuia
|
Diamond Harbour
|
|
| 15 June 2023 | DF | Zodingliana Ralte
|
Mohammedan
|
||
| 17 June 2023 | 19 | FW | David Lalhlansanga
|
Mohammedan
|
[10] |
| 21 June 2023 | 33 | GK | Vikram Lahkbir Singh
|
Bengaluru
|
[11] |
| 30 June 2023 | 99 | FW |  Matías Verón
|
 Matagalpa FC
|
|
| 01 July 2023 | DF | Melory Laldinsanga
|
Project Veng FC
|
||
| 02 July 2023 | DF | Lalbiakzuala
|
Rajasthan United
|
[12] | |
| 02 July 2023 | MF | Zothanpuia
|
Rajasthan United
|
[13] | |
| 26 July 2023 | FW | K Lalrosanga
|
Chawnpui FC
|
||
| 31 July 2023 | 16 | DF |  Akito Saito
|
 Kaya–Iloilo
|
|
| 31 July 2023 | 35 | DF | Eisuke Mohri
|
 Club Eagles
|
|
| 30 September 2023 | 5 | DF |  Emmanuel Makinde
|
||
| 30 September 2023 | 8 | MF | Joseph Vanlalalhruaia
|
Free Agent | |
| 30 September 2023 | 8 | DF | Imanuel Lalthazuala
|
Free Agent | |
| 30 September 2023 | 24 | MF | Lalchhanhima Sailo
|
Hyderabad
|
|
| 30 September 2023 | 26 | DF | K Lalmalsawma
|
Free Agent | |
| 30 September 2023 | 32 | GK | Lalmuansanga
|
Free Agent | |
| 30 September 2023 | 47 | FW | Dawngliana
|
Free Agent | |
| 30 September 2023 | 50 | FW | Thasiama
|
Free Agent | |
| 30 September 2023 | 77 | FW |  Ivan Veras
|
Free Agent | |
| 1 December 2023 | GK | Vishal Joon
|
Bengaluru United
|
||
| 19 January 2024 | DF | Prosenjit Chakraborty
|
NEROCA FC
| ||
| 18 April 2024 | 7 | FW | Amir Memari
|
 Attack Energy SC
|
|
| 31 May 2024 | 9 | FW | Fredsan Marshall
|
Ambelim Sports Club | [14] |
Competitions
Overview
| Competition | First match | Last match | Final position | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | ||||
| I League | 29 October 2023 | 5 April 2024 | 9th | 24 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 36 | 35 | +1 | 25.00 |
| Total | 24 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 36 | 35 | +1 | 25.00 | |||
Source: Competitions
I-League
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Shillong Lajong | 24 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 36 | 37 | −1 | 31 | |
| 9 | Namdhari | 24 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 29 | 40 | −11 | 27 | |
| 10 | Aizawl | 22 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 36 | 35 | +1 | 25 | |
| 11 | Rajasthan United | 24 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 40 | 63 | −23 | 25 | |
| 12 | NEROCA (R) | 23 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 26 | 61 | −35 | 14 | Relegation to I-League 2 |
Source: I-League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots
(Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).
(R) Relegated
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots
(Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).
(R) Relegated
Matches
Note: I-League announced the fixtures for the 2023–24 season on 6 October 2023.[15]
| 29 October 2023 1 | Mohammedan | 2–1 | Aizawl | Kolkata |
| 19:00 IST |
|
Report | K. Lalrinfela  12' |
Stadium: Naihati Stadium Man of the Match: Alexis Gómez |
| 7 November 2023 3 | Sreenidi Deccan | 1–2 | Aizawl | Hyderabad |
| 16:30 IST | Pawan Kumar 90+8' |
Report |
|
Stadium: Deccan Arena Attendance: 900 Referee: Mrutyunjay L. Amatya Man of the Match: R. Ramdinthara (Aizawl) |
| 14 November 2023 4 | NEROCA | 1–3 | Aizawl | Kolkata |
| 19:00 IST | Tarak Hembram 33' |
Report | Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia 62', 81', 90+6' |
Stadium: Kalyani Stadium Man of the Match: Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia (Aizawl) |
| 17 November 2023 5 | Aizawl | 1–5 | Delhi | Aizawl |
| 16:30 IST | R. Lalthanmawia 46' |
Report |
|
Stadium: Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Man of the Match: Gaurav Rawat |
| 21 November 2023 6 | Aizawl | 3–0 | Namdhari | Aizawl |
| 19:00 IST |
|
Report | Stadium: Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Man of the Match: Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia |
| 28 November 2023 7 | Rajasthan United | 2–2 | Aizawl | Hyderabad |
| 14:00 IST |
|
Report | Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia 26', 68' |
Stadium: Deccan Arena Man of the Match: Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia |
| 2 December 2023 8 | Real Kashmir | 0–0 | Aizawl | Srinagar |
| 14:00 IST | Report | Stadium: TRC Turf Ground Man of the Match: Nora Fernandes(Aizawl) |
| 7 December 2023 9 | TRAU | 1–5 | Aizawl | Kolkata |
| 19:00 IST | Soraisam Robinson 13' |
Report |
|
Stadium: Kalyani Stadium Man of the Match: Joe Zoherliana (Aizawl) |
| 10 December 2023 10 | Shillong Lajong | 0–3 | Aizawl | Shillong |
| 19:00 IST | Report |
|
Stadium: SSA Stadium Referee: Ashish Tiwari |
| 16 December 2023 11 | Aizawl | 1–1 | Gokulam Kerala | Aizawl |
| 19:00 IST | Lalbiakdika 31' |
Report | Álex Sánchez 45+4' |
Stadium: Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Man of the Match: Álex Sánchez (Gokulam Kerala) |
| 21 December 2023 12 | Aizawl | 1–1 | Inter Kashi | Aizawl |
| 19:00 IST | Mohammed Asif 43' |
Report | Lalhmangaihkima 88' |
Stadium: Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Attendance: 3,485 Referee: Mithun Kumar Kundu Man of the Match: Nora Fernandes (Aizawl) |
| 10 February 2024 13 | Aizawl | 0–0 | Mohammedan | Aizawl |
| 19:00 IST | Stadium: Rajiv Gandhi Stadium |
| 15 February 2024 14 | Delhi | 1–0 | Aizawl | Bhaini Ala |
| 14:00 IST | Sérgio Barboza 90+3' |
Report | Stadium: Namdhari Stadium Attendance: 150 Referee: Jehrul Islam Man of the Match: Sérgio Barboza (Delhi) |
| 19 February 2024 15 | Aizawl | 1–5 | Sreenidi Deccan | Aizawl |
| 19:00 IST | Joe Zoherliana 49' |
Report |
|
Stadium: Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Joyshing Monsang Thumily Man of the Match: David Castañeda (Sreenidi Deccan) |
| 23 February 2024 16 | Aizawl | 0–0 | Rajasthan United | Aizawl |
| 19:00 IST | Report | Stadium: Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Attendance: 1,462 Referee: Dipu Roy Man of the Match: Lal Biakzuala (Rajasthan United) |
| 28 February 2024 17 | Aizawl | 0–1 | Real Kashmir | Aizawl |
| 19:00 IST | Report | Henry Kisekka 15' |
Stadium: Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Attendance: 1,246 Referee: Lalit Singh Rawat Man of the Match: Henry Kisekka (Real Kashmir) |
| 9 March 2024 19 | Aizawl | 1–2 | Shillong Lajong | Aizawl |
| 19:00 IST | Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia 81' (P) |
Report |
|
Stadium: Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Attendance: 2,056 Referee: Surojit Das Man of the Match: Phrangki Buam (Shillong Lajong) |
| 14 March 2024 20 | Gokulam Kerala | 4–3 | Aizawl | Kozhikode |
| 19:00 IST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: EMS Stadium Attendance: 1,540 Referee: K. Ramdasan Man of the Match: Matija Babović (Gokulam Kerala) |
| 18 March 2024 21 | Inter Kashi | 5–4 | Aizawl | Kalyani |
| 19:00 IST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Kalyani Stadium Attendance: 325 Referee: Ajay Krishnan Man of the Match: Mario Barco (Inter Kashi) |
| 27 March 2024 2 | Aizawl | 4–0 | Churchill Brothers | Aizawl |
| 19:00 IST |
|
Report | Stadium: Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Attendance: 300 Referee: Jehrul Islam Man of the Match: Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia (Aizawl) |
| 1 April 2024 22 | Namdhari | 1–1 | Aizawl | Bhaini Ala |
| 15:30 IST | Garrido 85' |
Report | Ramdinthara 40' |
Stadium: Namdhari stadium Attendance: 400 Referee: Suresh Devaraj Man of the Match: Peter Haokip (Namdhari) |
| 5 April 2024 23 | Churchill Brothers | 2–0 | Aizawl | Vasco |
| 19:00 IST |
|
Report | Stadium: Tilak Maidan Attendance: 275 Referee: Mrutyunjay L. Amatya Man of the Match: Ogana Louis (Churchill Brothers) |
| 9 April 2024 18 | Aizawl | Cancelled | TRAU | Aizawl |
| 19:00 IST | Stadium: Rajiv Gandhi Stadium |
| 12 April 2024 24 | Aizawl | Cancelled | NEROCA | Aizawl |
| 19:00 IST | Stadium: Rajiv Gandhi Stadium |
Statistics
Goal scorers
| Rank | No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | I League | Super Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | FW |
|
Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 2 | 14 | DF |
|
Joe Zoherliana | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 3 | 7 | FW |
|
R Lalthanmawia | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 9 | FW |
|
Tharpuia | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 10 | MF |
|
K Lalrinfela | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 6 | 21 | MF |
|
K Lalhmangaihkima | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 32 | FW |
|
Lalbiakdika | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 88 | FW |
|
Bawlte Rohmingthanga | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Own Goals | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 24 | 0 | 24 | ||||
References
- ^ "AIFF looks to increase teams in I-League, number of foreigners in squad to be reduced". 1 May 2023.
- ^ "AIFF invites bids for new clubs to join Hero I-League 2023–24 season onwards | Hero I-League".
- ^ "AIFF looks to increase teams in I-League, number of foreigners in the squad to be reduced". The Indian Express. 1 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
- ^ "I-League Foreigner Rule: AIFF League Committee reduces number of foreigners in I-League". Inside Sport India. 1 May 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Prodigal Mohammedan Sporting do enough to take home three points | I-League". i-league.org. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "AIFF cancels games as Manipur teams refuse to travel to Aizawl". The Times of India. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Aizawl Football Club is delighted to welcome Erol Akbay as our new Head Coach". Twitter. 2 September 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/106030698
- ^ "Say hello to The People's Club new Head Coach - Stojkoski Bobi". @AizawlFC on Twitter. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ https://twitter.com/MohammedanSC/status/1676511434795253761 We are delighted to announce the signing of young and promising forward, 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐥𝐡𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚. We hope an exciting journey together!
- ^ "ISL Transfer: Bengaluru FC signs goalkeeper Vikram Singh". The Hindu. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "Thrilled to announce that B-Tea will stay with us till 2025". @RajasthanUnited. 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ "Elated to announce that Zothanpuia will stay with us till 2026". @RajasthanUnited. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
- ^ https://www.the-aiff.com/players/profile/124042?type=club
- ^ "AIFF announces fixtures for I-League, IWL | I-League". i-league.org.
