Bigger, longer but still unpredictable
INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE 4 Having played the AFC Cup, newcomers Bengaluru FC may have the early advantage this time NEWDELHI:It
has not been a smooth ride for domestic football since the Indian Super League (ISL) began in 2014. The disruptor, according to All India Football Federation president Praful Patel, has got new investors and fatter pay cheques for some players but has also led to reduction in employment opportunities for many footballers.
That was because the ISL would precede the I-League --still the country’s most important competition even though it offers less prizemoney and isn’t marketed and televised as well as ISL --- and a number of Indian players would play in both.
This season things have changed. The bigger and longer ISL4 will run simultaneously with I-League for four months. With Star Sports, an ISL stakeholder, being the official broadcaster for both leagues, ISL has more prime time kick-off timings.
ISL received a shot in the arm when twice I-League champions Bengaluru FC jumped ship. It gave the ISL one of the more marketable brands in domestic football. They were joined by new team Jamshedpur FC, owned by the Tata Group.
The cherry on top is a spot in the 2019 AFC Cup qualification rounds for ISL winners. Previously reserved for the Federation Cup champions, this was the Asian governing body’s way of recognising the league that is the brainchild of the AIFF’s commercial partners.
ISL4 will also see most teams making wholesale changes. Champions ATK have decided the Spanish inputs that fetched them two titles needed a re-look, opting for a British feel. Among the eight franchises that played the first three seasons, only Mumbai City FC have retained their coach.
Bengaluru FC go in with probably the most settled line-up and coaching staff and having played in the AFC Cup this term should help them settle down. They lost Eugeneson Lyngdoh to ATK but recruited Gurpreet Singh and spent ~ 6.01 crore in the players’ draft. FC Pune City’s spending of ~ 3.63 crore was the lowest.
FC Pune City and Kerala Blasters have the strongest squads. Because the league will be longer, teams have mostly opted for youth.
Indian coaches will play second fiddle. Even the seasoned Derrick Pereira will assist a much younger Spaniard
Sergio Lobera at FC Goa. 12 OCTOBER, 2014 On the opening ISL night in Kolkata, Ethiopian Fikru Teferra became the ISL’s first scorer. The ATK striker scored against Mumbai City FC in the first half to set off a glorious start. Forward, ATK
Ireland’s all-time leading goal scorer is one of the biggest names in this ISL. Having turned out for teams like Tottenham, Liverpool, Aston Villa and West Ham United apart from a brief spell at Inter Milan, it is safe to say he will be ATK’s go to man. Keane has also won three MLS titles with LA Galaxy. Biggest challenge for him though will be the weather. Forward, Kerala Blasters FC Great things are expected from arguably the most high-profile signing. He is best known for his deft touch and impeccable finishing ability, gathered from stints with Tottenham, Manchester United and Fulham. He will reunite with manager Renee Meulensteen, whom he played under at Fulham. Forward,
Bengaluru FC
India’s captain will be tasked with leading Bengaluru FC’s charge in their debut ISL. He has played for Mumbai City FC in the last two seasons, scoring seven goals in 2015, including a hattrick. But Chhetri may be saving his best for the club he loves most. 15 OCTOBER, 2014 Goalkeeper, Mumbai City FC The 24-year-old was one of the biggest factors behind Mumbai’s success last term -- keeping five clean sheets from six games. He was only beaten once, in the first leg of the semi-final against ATK. Retaining last year’s Golden Glove winner for a whopping ~ 1.2 crore highlights Amrinder’s game ch Defender, Delhi Dynamos FC
Like many Indian players in the ISL, Delhi Dynamo’s latest acquisition has built a reputation playing in the wing. The right-back won the title with ATK last year and the I-League with Mohun Bagan in 2015. A regular in the national setup, Kotal, whose attacking prowess matches his defensive capabilty, was one of the most expensive defenders drafted this year. 20 DECEMBER, 2014 Forward, FC Pune City
His signing, to supplement Marcelinho, might give Pune a more well-rounded attack. The Uruguayan, who has spent three seasons with Lazio, was the league’s third highest goal-scorer last year with five goals for North East United FC. Emiliano is expected to add more than his last season’s total. Forward, Kerala Blasters FC Highest scorer in ISL’s brief history, Iain Hume returns after a two-year spell at ATK where he scored 18 goals and also helped win the 2016 edition. Hume’s work ethic and familiarity with the conditions make him the most established threat in the ISL, someone who could easily change Kerala’s fortunes with Dimitar Berbatov to
as partner. Forward, Chennaiyin FC ndia’s most valued striker has been part of Chennaiyin FC since 2014. His tally stands at 13 oals. But given his recent un of form, which also won im the 2016 Player of the Year award, Jeje is expected o finish on a high. Forward, FC Pune City
By far FC Pune City’s best signing this season, Marcelinho’s goal scoring exploits for Delhi Dynamos last term secured the Brazilian the Golden Boot award. The 30-year-old netted 10 times and was equally fluent in providing for his side with five assists as Delhi romped to their best finish. Goalkeeper, Bengaluru FC
Bengaluru FC’s acquisition of India’s No 1 goalkeeper for their maiden ISL has been the highlight of their transfer activity. The experience of spending three years at Norwegian club Stabaek FC could make Sandhu one of the best custodians. OCTOBER 28, 2015 20 DECEMBER, 2015 11 NOVEMBER, 2016 Mumbai City vs FC Goa
ATK vs FC Pune City
Pune City vs Mumbai City
FC Goa vs Bengaluru FC
Jamshedpur FC vs ATK Delhi Dynamos FC vs NorthEast
Pune City vs Chennaiyin
Delhi FC vs Jamshedpur FC Chennaiyin vs ATK NorthEast FC vs Bengaluru FC Jamshedpur FC vs Pune City Kerala Blasters vs NorthEast Delhi Dynamos FC vs FC Goa
Bengaluru FC vs Chennaiyin
NorthEast vs Mumbai City Bengaluru FC vs Jamshedpur FC Chennaiyin vs Kerala Blasters FC Jamshedpur FC vs Chennaiyin Mumbai City vs Delhi Dynamos Pune City vs NorthEast
Kerala FC vs Bengaluru FC
*The semi-finals will be played on home-and-away basis between March 4-17 The final will be held in Kolkata on March 17 1 DECEMBER, 2016
Kerala vs Mumbai City Mumbai City vs Chennaiyin
Mumbai City vs ATK 18 DECEMBER, 2016 Jamshedpur vs Delhi FC Bengaluru FC vs NorthEast Chennaiyin vs Bengaluru FC Delhi FC vs Mumbai City Kerala FC vs FC Goa
FC Goa vs Kerala Blasters FC FC Pune City vs Bengaluru FC FC Goa vs FC Pune City ATK vs Delhi Dynamos ATK vs FC Goa FC Pune City vs ATK FC Pune vs Jamshedpur FC ATK vs Chennaiyin FC Goa vs Mumbai FC ATK vs Jamshedpur FC
NorthEast vs FC Pune City Jamshedpur FC vs NorthEast Bengaluru FC vs FC Pune City
FC Pune vs Kerala Blasters FC ATK vs Bengaluru FC
FC Goa vs NorthEast ATK vs Kerala Blasters FC FC Goa vs Chennaiyin