Kolkata: The 14th season of the I-League will roll from January 10 with 11 teams participating from different parts of the country. Mohammedan Sporting Club will be returning to the tournament after a gap of seven years while Sudeva FC will make their debut in the top-flight.
Changes in format
The All India Football Federation has made some changes in the format to the start of the league due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 11 teams will play against each other in the first round from which the top six will qualify for the Championship stage base don the points. In the Championship stage, six teams will play against each other with the top team declared champions and will eventually play in AFC CUP 2021-22 season. The other five teams will play against each other to fight relegation with the bottom-placed side demoted to 2nd Division.
The AIFF has also put a cap on foreigners. Before it was a ‘4+1’ format which has been reduced to ‘3+1’ i.e three players can from anywhere around the world and another should from an AFC-affiliated country will be playing in the XI.
Venues
Due to the pandemic, the I-League won’t be featured around the country like it used to be since it’s inception. This time all the matches will be played in Kolkata with four stadiums hosting the matches. They are:
* Salt Lake Stadium (Salt Lake)
* Kishore Bharati Kirangan (Jadavpur)
* Mohun Bagan Ground (Maidan)
* Kalyani Municipal Stadium (Kalyani)
No spectators are allowed to enter the stadium, as the matches will be played under closed doors.
Teams
Round Glass Punjab FC: Formerly known as Minerva Punjab FC, RGFC is being tipped as one of the favourites going into the league. With players like Joseba Betia and Chencho Gyeltshen in the side they will be a team to watch out for.
Gokulam Kerala FC: Certainly a team that showed promise last season but failed to capitalise later was Gokulam. This year they will be a team that can blossom with good players already by their side.
Real Kashmir FC: Fresh from an IFA Shield victory, the Kashmiri side has got some talent to showcase. Always been a hard team to beat due to their tactical and physical game, they will be a threat to others prior this season.
Aizawl FC: The Champions of 2016-17 season, has got some talented players in their squad coming to this year. With a leader like Alfred Jaryan by their side, they will be a team to watch out for.
Chennai City FC: Won the I-League in the 2018-19 season by playing some wonderful team-game. Last year the team missed out on many players from their champion squad and looked out of shape. Coming to this season they will hopefully bring some new challenges.
Trau FC: Certainly finished in the bottom half of the table last year, they will be a team to look for this season with the like of Tajikistan national team player Komron Tursunov on their side. It will be an exciting to look them out.
Neroca FC: Didn’t have the best of the season last year but certainly this team doesn’t lack in talent. With some good Indian players by their side they will be another good team to look into.
Churchill Brothers: One of the oldest among other teams to feature in the I-League. Certainly they have missed out on last season after a good start. Churchill will be a team to look out for.
Indian Arrows: This team consists of young Indian players who promise to be in the top ranks later in the future for the country. They always brought and will supply some exciting Indian talents.
Mohammedan Sporting Club: Second oldest club in the country and one of the successful clubs from the past will feature after a gap of seven long years in the I-League. Certainly the Black Panthers as they are being called have to prove their capabilities this season with no East Bengal and Mohun Bagan featuring in the tournament.
Suveda Delhi: The new boys of the league, they will be an exciting team to watch out for prior to the league.
Players to watch out in the I-League: Joseba Betia and Chencho Gyeltsen (RGPC), Princewell Emeka (Aizawl FC), Philip Adjah (Gokulam Kerala), Aser Dipanda Dicka (Real Kashmir), Kingsley Obumneme and Jamal Bhuyan (Mohammedan Sporting), Komron Tursunov (Trau FC).
