#Jamshedpur FC foreign players

[townpostin]

Jamshedpur FC Signs Nigerian Defender Stephen Eze

Former player returns to bolster defense on two-year contract CII praises Union Budget 2024-25 for its emphasis on Eastern region development, MSME support, and strategic infrastructure investments to foster economic progress. JAMSHEDPUR – Jamshedpur FC has finally confirmed the much-awaited signing of Nigerian international Stephen Eze on a two-year contract. The player is expected to bolster…

[thelivegoal]

ISL 2021-22: Who are Jamshedpur FC's foreign players for the upcoming season?

ISL 2021-22: Who are Jamshedpur FC's foreign players for the upcoming season?

The Men of Steel finished sixth in the previous edition of ISL. Source link

[gokul2181]

Teams start arriving in Goa for Indian Super League | Football News

New Post has been published on https://jordarnews.in/teams-start-arriving-in-goa-for-indian-super-league-football-news/

Teams start arriving in Goa for Indian Super League | Football News

MARGAO: Majority of the domestic players have arrived in Goa for the upcoming Indian Super League, which is likely to start next month and to be played entirely in three venues under strict COVID-19 protocols. This season’s ISL, to be played among 11 teams, will be held behind closed doors at three venues — Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao; GMC Athletic Stadium, Bambolim; and Tilak Maidan Stadium, Vasco. Some clubs like FC Goa, Hyderabad FC and Kerala Blasters FC have begun their pre-season training at their designated venues, while Bengaluru FC started their preparations in the beginning of this month at their academy at Bellary. The rest of the clubs are expected to start their training by the end of this week once they complete their stipulated days of quarantine, the ISL said in a statement. Chennaiyin FC and their coaching staff are yet to announce the date of their arrival while new side SC East Bengal’s squad is expected to reach Goa by October 16. While a majority of the Indian players have already linked up with their teammates and the coaching staff of their respective clubs, many foreign players are yet to arrive, with visa restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic proving to be a hurdle. Among foreign arrivals, Peter Hartley and Nerijus Valskis of Jamshedpur FC landed on Indian shores on Friday. NorthEast United’s Uruguayan attacker Federico Gallego has also arrived in Goa, as also Hyderabad FC’s new signing Aridane Santana. Among the first Hero ISL outfits to arrive in Goa were ATK Mohun Bagan FC and Jamshedpur FC. Antonio Lopez Habas of ATK Mohun Bagan was the first ISL head coach to arrive in Goa, followed by Jamshedpur FC’s Owen Coyle and NorthEast United FC‘s Gerard Nus. Kerala Blasters FC’s Kibu Vicuna arrived on Saturday while Hyderabad FC head coach Manuel Marquez has also arrived in Goa. Other Spanish head coaches, including Mumbai City FC’s Sergio Lobera and FC Goa’s Juan Ferrando, are set to arrive on Monday and link up with the team after completing quarantine. Odisha FC head coach Stuart Baxter will arrive in India after the approval of his visa.

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ISL 2020: Nigerian international Stephen Eze joins Jamshedpur FC

ISL 2020: Nigerian international Stephen Eze joins Jamshedpur FC

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Current Nigerian international Stephen Eze has put pen to paper for Jamshedpur Football Club, the team said in a statement on Thursday.

This becomes the club’s sixth foreign signing and the second foreign centre-back along with the recently announced Peter Hartley.

The 26-year-old player has represented the Nigerian national team 13 times since his debut in 2016.

In May 2018, he was…

[townpostin]

Jamshedpur FC Releases Swiss Winger Alen Stevanovic

33-year-old departs after disappointing stint marred by fitness issues Club expected to announce new foreign signing soon JAMSHEDPUR – Jamshedpur Football Club (JFC) has parted ways with Swiss winger Alen Stevanovic, ending the 33-year-old’s brief and underwhelming tenure with the team. Key points: – Stevanovic joined JFC last year – Played only 15 matches due to persistent fitness problems – Was…

[24sevenbet-blog]

The fourth season of the country’s leading professional football league-Indian Super League (ISL) will be Start on 17 November 2017. In the first match of the fourth season, teams of current champion Atlético de Calcutta and runner-up Kerala Blasters will be face-to-face in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi. The match between two-time champions Kolkata & Kerala Blasters. Free Indian Super League Betting India

A total of 10 teams will participate in ISL 2017-18. Two new teams in the form of Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC this year are affiliated with the league. With the addition of these two new teams, the period of the league has also increased. Now it will last for four months. This is happening for the first time. This year, under the league, 95 matches will be played we can get more excitement this year.

All 10 teams will clash with each other on a home and away basis. There will be 90 matches at this level. It will be followed by a two-legged semi-final and then the final. The semi-finals will be held in the second week of March. The date of the final and the venue of the event will be announced later. All league matches will be played from Wednesday to Saturday. The match time will be at eight o’clock. There will be two matches on Sunday. The first match will be from 5.30 PM and the second will be from 8.00 PM. Online Cricket Betting Guide for Indian Punters

The first doubleheader of the season will be held in Chennai between Chennai FC and Goa FC, which will be final in 2016. After this, the AFC Cup 2016 finalist Bengaluru will face the semi-final Mumbai City FC in the last season. The match to be held on November 19 at the Kantirava Stadium in Bangalore.

This season’s first Maharashtra Derby FC Pune City and Mumbai City FC will be held on November 29 at Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex (Pune). Jamshedpur FC will play its first home match at the JRD Tata Sports Complex Stadium on December 1 with the current winner Kolkata.

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Overall, all ten clubs have spent 132.75 Crore to buy 77 foreigners and 166 country players signing on. Unlike playing XI rules, instead of six, a rule has been made to keep five foreign players in the team. This is the reason that the club has been encouraged to invest more in native players and domestic talent. This has been done keeping in mind the future goal and consequently, 32 native players have been contracted on the contract for many years from the same year. Free Cricket Betting India

Indian Super League Football Season 4 begins on 17 Nov 17 The fourth season of the country's leading professional football league-Indian Super League (ISL) will be Start on 17 November 2017.

[thoonline]

ISL 2020: Nigerian international Stephen Eze joins Jamshedpur FC | Cricket News

ISL 2020: Nigerian international Stephen Eze joins Jamshedpur FC | Cricket News

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Current Nigerian international Stephen Eze has put pen to paper for Jamshedpur Football Club, the team said in a statement on Thursday.

This becomes the club’s sixth foreign signing and the second foreign centre-back along with the recently announced Peter Hartley.

The 26-year-old player has represented the Nigerian national team 13 times since his debut in 2016.

In May 2018, he was named…

[the-football-daily]

ISL 2019-20: Jamshedpur FC failed as a team

Antonio Iriondo's Jamshedpur were too dependent on foreign players... from Football News, Live Scores, Results & Transfers | Goal.com https://ift.tt/2Tl7oaR via IFTTT

[footballnewspapers]

Jamshedpur FC signs former La Liga player Francisco Medina Luna

Jamshedpur FC signs former La Liga player Francisco Medina Luna

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Piti will be the third foreigner to represent Jamshedpur FC in the 2019-20 season of ISL after Tiri and Memo

Jamshedpur FC has signed former La Liga player Francisco Medina Luna, fondly known as Piti, from Greek club PAS Lamia 1964…

[indianfootballfans-blog]

ISL tickets Kolkata-Revised Rates on Online and Offline Tickets

ISL tickets ATK-How to Book ticket Online and Offline 

One of the most popular sports leagues in India, the ISL or the Indian Super League, has come back for the fourth season. This year it promises to get more grand and extravagant. The Asian Football Confederation has given recognition to ISL as a national league this time. This means that the winners will get to participate in the upcoming edition of the AFC Cup. The tournament runs on the basis of league format where the top four teams from the league stage enter the semifinals. The victorious two go on to the final, and one among them gets crowned as the champion.

The new changes in ISL this year

The most positive change that is getting effective from this year is that the teams must have at least six Indian players in their starting lineup. The other important change is that among these six, there must a least of two players from the under 21 team. This is a great move as this will ensure that the teams take in more Indian talent as compared to the branded foreign stars. This time the duration taken by the ISL makes it the longest league in sports across India. The matches will get played on three days a week and two of them on Sundays. A total of 95 matches will get played this time of the tournament. The number of teams has increased from eight to ten with the inclusion of two new teams namely Jamshedpur FC and Bengaluru FC. More about ISL tickets Kolkata below.

The top teams this year Chennaiyin FC: The fans of this team call themselves the “Super Machans." The home ground for Chennaiyin FC is the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The new coach for the team is John Gregory from England as opposed to their previous manager Marco Matterazi. The squad this time has a good mix of Indian and international players. Kerala Blasters FC: The Kerala Blasters FC or “Manjappada” have one of the most excited fans ever, and they even got the award for the “Best Fan Club of the year." They had come really close to winning the title in the previous seasons and hope that this year they are going to bag it for themselves. Atletico de Kolkata: This is the most successful team with as many as two titles to their name in the three years of ISL. This time they have the big names like Robbie Keane (striker) and Jussi Jaaskelainen (goalkeeper) on their side with the reputed Teddy Sheringham as the coach and mentor. They are all set to bag the trophy for the third time this year. Bengaluru FC: This is their first time playing in the league. They hope to make it big just like they did in their first season for I-league in 2013-14. Their dedicated fans can't wait to catch this team, also known as the "West Block Blues," in action. The home ground for this team is the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Jamshedpur FC: The team is all set to embark on their ISL journey this year. The team gets owned by Tata Steel, and they are all set to be the first football franchise from the city of Jamshedpur. The football fans are naturally quite excited to get the taste of Indian Super League extravaganza for the first time.

The tickets and the related details

The tickets of the Kolkata matches have been kept at different prices to suit the comfort of the fans.  The ticket prices are 100, 200 and 400. For the blocks B1, C1 and C3 you will get the tickets for Rs. 100. You will get the tickets for Rs. 200 for the blocks A1 and C1. The blocks A2 and C2 have the highest ticket prices at Rs. 400. The ISL tickets for all teams including Kolkata- which is the top draw this year being the defending champions, are available online. You get the tickets with the addition of the internet handling charges when you book them online. The tickets can also get availed from the various retail outlets across the cities. Some of the top brands have also organized several contests in which the fans can participate to win the passes to the matches. The tickets for the opening match in the VIP area gets priced at Rs. 2000. The remaining matches have the VIP ticket prices at Rs 1250. The tickets cost Rs. 2500 for the special hospitality seats. Read the full article

[kalsisports]

Cummins becomes most expensive foreign player in IPL history | Indian Sports News | Sports Time #25

Cummins becomes most expensive foreign player in IPL history | Indian Sports News | Sports Time #25

Sports Time #15 - Daily Indian Sports News updates The Indian and West Indies players arrived in Bhubaneswar on Thursday amid tight security for the third and final ODI to be played at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on December 22. India U17 Womens lost to Sweden in final on U17 tournament by 4-0 Golden Glove gold medallist Vijaydeep, who is aiming to win a medal at the 2024 Olympics, has said that the Khelo India Youth Games provide an excellent platform for youngsters Left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav has revealed that he was confused which delivery he should bowl while going for the record second hat-trick Mumbai City FC edge past Jamshedpur FC 2-1 Cummins becomes most expensive foreign player in IPL history Dinesh Karthik will remain the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) despite the franchise going for England's World Cup winning captain Eoin Morgan in the 13th Indian Premier League KL Rahul will captain Kings XI Punjab in the 2020 season of the Indian Premier League, the franchise's Director of Cricket Operations Anil Kumble confirmed in a press conference post the auction Odisha emerged as the champions of the first-ever Womens National T20 Tournament for Blind after registering a comprehensive 87-run victory over Karnataka in the final The Bengaluru Police here on Thursday searched Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Secretary Suresh Menon's residence and seized some electronic gadgets Gujarat Giants storm into finals of inaugural BBIBL 2019 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Sports India Live (SportsIndiaLive.com) Sports India Live (SIL) is Indian Sports website, where Indian Sports fan gets engaged with latest Indian Sports happening. Website: https://ift.tt/2xZlODc Facebook: https://ift.tt/30MVV6c Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfD6a-AotcocBlWo0gAKoQ #SportsTime, #IndianSportsNews, #SportsIndiaLive, from Blogger https://ift.tt/2EBTJp1

[worldcup-news-blog]

Indian Super League Coaches Laud New Six Indian Players Rule

Happy Thanksgiving http://worldcupnews.info/indian-super-league-coaches-laud-new-six-indian-players-rule/

Indian Super League Coaches Laud New Six Indian Players Rule

#Ashes #ChampionsLeague

The Indian Super League’s (ISL) new rule of playing six Indian players on the field at all times during a match has received praise from foreign coaches of the ISL teams. The coaches said that this will help the local players develop their game. Unlike the last season of the ISL, this time five foreign players will be on the field in place of six. While ATK coach Teddy Sheringham and Chennaiyin FC coach John Gregory said that this new rule will help the Indian players, Jamshedpur FC’s coach Steve Coppell inferred that it would add extra responsibility on Indian players to perform and develop.

“I think it’s a good decision to have six Indians on the pitch at all times and it means Indians getting more chances to play and show their skills,” said the Man United legend Sheringham at the ISL Media Day.

Media interaction, questions, answers and a lot of fun!

Here’s a quick recap of today’s #HeroISLMediaDay at Kolkata.

Entire album on https://t.co/YbYJgIGvLm#LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/sUZAoxE02E

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) November 12, 2017

“We don’t have a marquee signing this year but you will see that we have invested our money in young Indians who will not just come on for 10 minutes but will form an integral part of my squad this season,” explained Gregory.

Northeast United’s head coach, Portuguese Joao Carlos Pires de Deus was pleasantly surprised with the quality of Indian players he has worked with so far.

“You ask me if the Brazilians in my team will produce magic, but what is magic? It’s not limited to Brazilians. Even Indian players in our team are very skillful and can produce magic. You see the kid with blonde hair in U-17 World Cup team (Komal Thatal) and he was producing magic. So it’s not limited to a nationality,” he said.

“Rubbing shoulders with top players has made a huge difference to Indian footballers. You see them play with marquee signings and come up against top class forwards and midfielders and it automatically builds their confidence and the game. The ISL has played a huge role in this development,” said Coppell, who is now into his second season in ISL.

“The ISL will eventually see a player emerge, someone like the Virat Kohli of Indian football, who will then carry the team in the future and inspire youngsters to play the sport. The development of youngsters is very important for any country’s progress in a sport and this league will help in that,” Delhi Dynamos’ head coach Miguel Angel Portugal said.

The ISL kicks off on November 17 with a high-profile clash between Kerala Blasters and ATK at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.

(With PTI inputs)

[townpostin]

Jamshedpur FC Retains Japanese Midfielder Rei Tachikawa

Key Player Signs Two-Year Extension with Men of Steel Jamshedpur FC secures its first foreign signing of the season, extending the contract of dynamic Japanese midfielder Rei Tachikawa for two more years. JAMSHEDPUR – Jamshedpur FC has announced the retention of Japanese midfielder Rei Tachikawa, marking their first foreign signing for the upcoming season. The 26-year-old player has committed to…

[alexiv159]

With the 2020-21 season of the Indian Super League set to take place in Goa behind closed doors, FC Goa has an unusual home advantage for the whole season.

The management, the coaching staff, the players, and the fans of FC Goa are getting ready for the biggest season as they will be competing in the 2020-21 season of the Indian Super League and will be representing India in the AFC Champions League as well courtesy of topping the league table last season.

Sergio Lobera made attacking football and goals synonymous with FC Goa during his three-year stay at the club helping them reach the playoff stage in all three seasons. The Gaurs also won their first major trophy, the 2019 Indian Super Cup with Lobera at the helm.

​But, due to a rumored confrontation between Lobera and the FC Goa senior management, the head coach was relieved of his duties at the business end of last season.

Lobera has made the switch from FC Goa to Mumbai City FC and he has not done it alone as he took the likes of former FC Goa skipper and ISL’ most appearances record holder Mandar Rao Dessai, chief creator Hugo Boumous, key midfield enforcer Ahmed Jahouh, and commanding defender Mourtada Fall.

Along with this, Carlos Pena hung up his boots after the end of last season and the league’s highest goalscorer Coro called an end to his time in India. Lanky forward Manvir Singh moved to ATK Mohun Bagan while the pacey Jackichand Singh also made the switch to Jamshedpur FC.

New dawn at FC Goa with new manager & signings

The Gaurs will be managed by the young Juan Ferrando in the upcoming season of the ISL and the Spanish manager would be relishing the opportunity to manage in India after managing in Moldova, Greece, and Spain in the last seven years.

The 39-year old has brought in players from Spain to smoothen the process of adapting to a new club in a new continent. He has bought five new overseas players, four from Spain & one from Australia and has made seven new Indian signings completing a squad overhaul.

Goalkeeper

Mohammad Nawaz is supposed to retain his spot at the No.1 goalkeeper for the club in both the competitions with Naveen Kumar deputising for him and Shubham Das in the reserves.

Defense

James Donachie has been brought in from the A-League as the replacement for the outgoing Mourtada Fall while Ivan Gonzalez will be taking the role of the retired Carlos Pena as the Real Madrid academy product will have more responsibility in starting the attacks from the back amongst the new centre-half duo.

Seriton Fernandes is the only defender from the last season’s regular starting XI to be retained for the upcoming season. Saviour Gama would be hoping to make himself the first choice left-back at the club following the departure of long-time skipper Mandar Rao Dessai.

Midfield

Edu Bedia is the only overseas player to be retained for the upcoming season with all other foreigners either moving on to new clubs or hanging up their boots. The Spanish creative midfielder would be making up a double pivot alongside the experienced Lenny Rodrigues with Ahmed Jahouh moving to Mumbai City FC.

Alberto Noguera and Jorge Ortiz will be taking up the mantle of creating chances for the main striker along with Brandon Fernandes and Redeem Tiang. Noguera and Ortiz are both former Atletico Madird B players and should be leading the assists charts at the end of the season.

Young talents like Phrangki Buam and Makan Chote will be waiting for their chances to start in the playing XI or appearances from the bench in what is supposed to be a tight calender for the club in the upcoming season.

Striker

Igor Angulo has big boots to fill as he is replacing the very prolific Coro as the striker has moved back to Spain after three fruitful seasons scoring 48 goals, winning two golden boots, and becoming the highest scorer in the league’s history since its inception in 2014.

Ishan Pandita comes in with the experience of playing half a decade in Spain, impressing in the Tercara division, and even getting offers from the Secunda division. The 22-year old striker would be hoping to impress the crowds in his first season in India.

FC Goa full squad for the upcoming season

Goalkeepers: Mohammad Nawaz, Naveen Kumar, Shubham Dhas

Defenders: Aiban Dohling, Ivan Gonzales, James Donachie, Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte, Leander D’Cunha, Mohamed Ali, Sanson Pereira, Saviour Gama, Seriton Fernandes

Midfielders: Alberto Noguera, Alexander Romario Jesuraj, Brandon Fernandes, Edu Bedia, Jorge Ortiz, Lenny Rodrigues, Makan Chote, Phrangki Buam, Princeton Rebello, Redeem Tiang, Seiminlen Doungel

Forwards: Devendra Murgaokar, Igor Angulo, Ishan Pandita

Possible Starting XI in the ISL (4-2-3-1)

Mohammad Nawaz, Seriton Fernandes, Ivan Gonzalez, James Donachie, Saviour Gama, Edu Bedia/Alberto Noguera, Lenny Rodrigues, Jorge Ortiz/Alberto Noguera, Brandon Fernandes, Redeem Tiang/Ishan Pandita, Igor Angulo

Possible league table finish: 5th

[worldcup-news-blog]

Seeking Indian 'Magic', ISL 2017 Sheds Foreign Stars For Fourth Season

New Post has been published on http://worldcupnews.info/seeking-indian-magic-isl-2017-sheds-foreign-stars-for-fourth-season/

Seeking Indian 'Magic', ISL 2017 Sheds Foreign Stars For Fourth Season

#Ashes #ChampionsLeague

The Indian Super League has slashed the number of high-earning foreign stars for its new season starting Friday but foreign coaches, including ex-England heroes Teddy Sheringham and Steve Coppell, will be in charge of every team. Indian fans have been used to seeing the likes of Italy’s Alessandro Del Piero, French striker Nicolas Anelka, and Argentine Diego Forlan during the ISL’s first three seasons.

But as the cash-rich league comes under pressure to nurture home-grown players, teams are now required to have at least six Indians on the field.

The veterans are nearly all gone, with Atletico de Kolkata’s Robbie Keane and Kerala Blasters’ ex-Manchester United stars Dimitar Berbatov and Wes Brown among the few who have tasted football’s big-time.

It means the spotlight will now fall on the Indian players, as well as the foreign coaches in the new championship which has been expanded to 10 teams, increasing the season to almost five months.

Among the managers are Sheringham, 51, who joined reigning champions Kolkata in July, and Coppell at new team Jamshedpur, which is backed by the Tata business empire.

Former Real Madrid player Miguel Angel Portugal is at Delhi Dynamos, while Ranko Popovic at FC Pune City has coached in his native Serbia, Austria, Japan, Spain and Thailand.

Sheringham welcomed the new player restrictions, which follow a period of unaccustomed success for 105th-ranked India after they qualified for the Asian Cup for only the fourth time.

“I think it’s a good decision to have six Indians on the pitch at all times and it means Indians getting more chances to play and show their skills,” said Sheringham, whose side start against Kerala Blasters in Friday’s opener in Kochi.

– Packed stadiums –

Sheringham, who made 51 England appearances between 1993 and 2002, is one of three English coaches in the ISL, along with fellow ex-Manchester United player Coppell and John Gregory at Chennaiyin.

Sheringham moved to India from unglamorous English fourth-tier side Stevenage. Packed stadiums in India, considered one of football’s new frontiers, drew him to the ISL.

“I was initially sceptical and asked myself whether I needed to come all the way to India to manage,” he said.

“But then I spoke with people — Steve Coppell of course and even (former Kerala player-manager) David James and they all had good things to say.

“Then when I was told we’ll be playing in front of 60,000 supporters, I thought that’s the sort of atmosphere I want to manage in,” said Sheringham.

Six Indian venues saw big attendances, especially for India’s matches, when the country hosted the Under-17 World Cup in October.

Northeast United’s head coach Joao Carlos Pires de Deus was among many who have been surprised by the quality of Indian footballers.

“You ask me if the Brazilians in my team will produce magic… but what is magic? It’s not limited to Brazilians,” said the Portuguese former left-back.

“Even the Indian players in our team are very skillful and can produce a lot of magic. You see the kid with blonde hair in the U17 World Cup team (Komal Thatal) and he was producing magic. So it’s not limited to a nationality,” he added.

– ‘Football continent’ –

The ISL, whose city-based franchise format apes cricket’s successful Indian Premier League, has grown in popularity since it was launched in 2014, outstripping the 10-year-old I-League in broadcast ratings.

It has added two new teams, Bengaluru FC, a two-time I-League winner, and Jamshedpur who will be led by Coppell. It has also been boosted by its entry into next year’s AFC Cup continental club championship.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed in July that the ISL winners will go into the qualifying round.

India, once called a “sleeping giant” by former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, has sought to use the U17 World Cup to boost its standing. India made a brief appearance in the top 100 footballing nations this year before slipping out again.

Current FIFA head Gianni Infantino said that “India is also not only a football country but is a football continent”, while lauding the country’s hosting of the U-17 World Cup.

The ISL will end with a final on March 17 in Kolkata.

[worldcup-news-blog]

Revamped Indian Super League Set For Kick-Off As Kerala Blasters Take On ATK

New Post has been published on http://worldcupnews.info/revamped-indian-super-league-set-for-kick-off-as-kerala-blasters-take-on-atk/

Revamped Indian Super League Set For Kick-Off As Kerala Blasters Take On ATK

#Ashes #ChampionsLeague

Optimism will mingle with curiosity when the revamped Indian Super League’s fourth season kicks off tomorrow with more teams and home-grown players seeking to cash in on the euphoria generated by the country’s maiden FIFA event. The ISL will now be a four-month drill — double the length of the previous three editions. Defending champions ATK and Kerala Blasters, who lost to the rechristened unit from the eastern Indian in last year’s summit showdown, will start the proceedings at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the venue for the 2016 final. Now considered the country’s top-tier league, the winner of which will get a direct spot in the AFC Cup (Asia’s equivalent of Europe’s Europa League), it remains to be seen if it is able to sustain the interest and momentum generated by the U-17 World Cup last month.

Two more teams have been added this season — the brand new Jamshedpur FC, backed by the Tata group, and the highly professional Bengaluru FC, making the switch from the I-League.

With the league, which was conceptualised with an aim to make the global sport more popular in the cricket-mad nation, getting recognition from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), it was logical on the part of Bengaluru FC to make the switch.

Often cited as an example of professionalism in Indian football, Bengaluru FC have been the most successful I-League club in recent years, winning it twice and finishing runner-up once.

More Indian players, more teams, more matches and more months – this is already being touted an ISL with a difference.

Another change in the league is that it has done away with the requirement of mandatory signing of a marquee player, the rule due to which India has been graced by the likes of World Cup winning stars such as Alessandro Del Piero, Marco Materazzi and Roberto Carlos.

Though the ISL has slashed the number of highly-paid foreign recruits, teams like ATK still have on board former Manchester United star Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane, an ex-Tottenham Hotspur forward.

As the focus has now shifted to nurturing home-grown players, teams are now required to have at least six Indians on the field.

While more Indian players will get more playing-time now, off it the number of foreign coaches will still dominate.

Prominent among them are Teddy Sherringham, who has won three Premier League titles and scored the equaliser in Manchester United’s famous 2-1 Champions League victory over Bayern Munich in 1999, and former Real Madrid midfielder Miguel Angel Portugal.

The 51-year-old Sherringham joined reigning champions ATK in July, while Portugal is helming Delhi Dynamos. The move to field more Indian players in the playing XI is a wise one, reckoned Sherringham and Chennaiyin coach John Gregory.

“I think it’s a good decision to have six Indians on the pitch at all times and it means Indians getting more chances to play and show their skills,” the former Manchester United legend had said.

Gregory added, “We don’t have a marquee signing this year but you will see that we have invested our money in young Indians who will not just come on for 10 minutes, but will form an integral part of my squad this season.”

NorthEast United’s coach Joao Carlos Pires de Deus was surprised by the quality of Indian footballers.

“You ask me if the Brazilians in my team will produce magic… but what is magic? It’s not limited to Brazilians. Even the Indian players in our team are very skillful and can produce a lot of magic,” Deus said.

As far as the opening game is concerned, ATK’s rivalry with Kerala Blasters has grown over the past few seasons. Sherringham described the Blasters as the biggest threat to ATK’s ambitions.

ATK will be without their star signing Keane, who is nursing an Achilles injury and will not be part of the opening game.

Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City FC, FC Pune City, NorthEast United FC and FC Goa complete the line-up. The final is slated for March 17 in Kolkata.