He was the eldest of the siblings in his family. His father passed away when he was studying Bachelor's degree. He was a good student and was preparing for UPSC examination. The life changed after his father's death. 

Today Joe Zoherliana is one of the prominent names in Indian football. A defender who scored four goals and made a couple of assists in the I-League 2024. He was the captain of Aizawl FC, completed 50 matches for his boyhood team and also grabbed the North East's ‘best footballer’s award this season. His consistency in the I-League compelled earned offers from a couple of ISL teams including Mohammedan Sporting. 

Joe, speaking over the phone revealed, "I had to stop education after my father's death in 2014. Both my brother and sister are studying in 11th and 12th grade. My mother has a shop in our locality. We do not have a proper income. So I choose football to support my brother and sister's education. My dream of becoming a top government officer turned into being a footballer.  
 

Zoherliana, despite having played for ISL teams like Bengaluru FC and NorthEast United FC earned prominence in the Indian football fraternity after a gap of almost six years. 

At a young age, Joe used to play as a midfielder. But it was Alison Kharsyntiew the I-League-winning Mohammedan Sporting's assistant coach who inspired him to play as a wing-back. Joe was playing at Shillong Lajong Academy in Meghalaya and Alison was their coach at that time.

Later, former Brazilian international Dani Alvez became his inspiration. Joe revealed, "I used to watch a lot of his videos, training and match videos. I followed his style of game, executing speedy overlapping down the flanks and trying to help the attackers and even score goals."

Joe has already had the taste of playing in ISL for Bengaluru FC and NorthEast United FC. But he did not get the opportunity to play a single match for Bengaluru FC although he appeared in 21 matches for NorthEast United in the last two seasons from 2021 to 2023. 

Since his father passed away in 2014, Zoherliana's family is financially run by his brother who is in the Indian army, and his mother who has a shop in their local area. 

Joe divulged, "Following advice from my mother and sister I joined Aizawl FC and played for one season. Playing in the I-league helped to regain confidence as I was not regular in the ISL.”

He continued, “I wanted to go back to the ISL and settle in the country’s top-tier football competition and I want to fulfil the goal this year.”

Joe has not yet signed the pre-contract sent by Mohammedan Sporting. But he hinted that chances of joining the Black-and-White brigade seem bright as he seems excited to play in Kolkata. “Playing for a big team like Mohammedan Sporting in Kolkata in front of their huge fans is always a great experience for any footballer,” added Joe.

When asked whether he is ready to face the quality foreign strikers in the ISL, Joe sounded confident. “The foreign footballers make the difference in ISL. So, playing against them will improve my football skills. I am ready," Joe concluded.