Kolkata: Mohammedan Sporting Club will return to the national fold after seven long years when they take on debutants Sudeva Delhi FC in the I-league season opener next year on January 9.
The fixture for the first ten rounds has been released on Tuesday (December 8) with the rest of the schedule is expected to be released later. The last time Mohammedan Sporting played in the I-League back in the 2013-14 season. Besides the other two giant clubs from Kolkata, Mohammedan is one of the most illustrated clubs in Indian football.
🚨 The #HeroILeague 2020-21 fixtures are here! 🚨
The action kicks off on January 9️⃣ in Kolkata with 6️⃣ teams set to feature on the opening day 🤩#IndianFootball ⚽ #LeagueForAll 🤝 #IndianFootballForwardTogether 💪 pic.twitter.com/L9i1oYgmKa
— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) December 8, 2020
Considering the fact that, clubs like Bengaluru FC, SC East Bengal (formerly known as East Bengal) and ATK Mohun Bagan (formerly known as Mohun Bagan before the ISL) moved to the Indian Super League, their inclusion to the I-league will be a big boost for the tournament as lots of legacy and emotion have been attached with this club.
However, due to COVID-19, all the matches in the competition will be played in Kolkata with the matches to be played at selected three venues –Salt Lake Stadium, Kalyani Municipal Stadium and Kishore Bharati Krirangan.
“We are about to experience a new version of the I-League this time as all the teams will be operating from within the bubble,” explained AIFF Leagues CEO Sunando Dhar. “It will indeed be a unique experience for all the players, coaches and officials involved.Of course, we would have loved to have had fans in the stands, but due to the current circumstances, that would not be possible. I just want to convey to all the fans that we will all we there for each other in spirit. I wish all the teams the best ahead of the tournament.”
