The Indian Super League (ISL) was conceived four years ago to wake up India, the sleeping giant of world football, from its slumber.
Sharing concepts of the franchise-based Indian Premier League (IPL) and Major League of the US, the ISL has now become the most important football league in the country vis-a-vis attendance and TV ratings.
The fourth edition of the ISL will have two more teams and a longer duration. The number of foreign players on the field has been restricted to five as opposed to six.
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The addition of two more franchises — Bengaluru and Jamshedpur FC — for the fourth season has stretched the duration of the league to five months. The longer league has also convinced the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to recognise the league and grant a qualification spot of the AFC Cup to the ISL winner.
More responsibility
The reduction in number of foreign players on the field meant more opportunities and responsibility for the Indian players to grow and improve.
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The Players Draft was held in July where 134 players were available for 10 franchises to pick in 15 rounds.
Jamshedpur was given the privilege to pick players in the first two rounds. The teams did their homework well to pick up the Indian players and recruited foreign stars with permission from the league.
After a brief uncertainty over its future when stake holders of the I-league clubs revolted, the fourth edition kicks off on Friday when last year finalists ATK and Kerala Blasters meet at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
History points to the Kolkata side which has remained unbeaten in all its clashes, including two finals, against Kerala Blasters since the loss during the inaugural edition here.
At the pre-match press conference, Blasters coach Rene Meulensteen said there has to be a beginning for everything and Friday could well be the day for the men in yellow to rewrite history against the Kolkata side.
It could be possible as Blasters have a fully-fit squad as opposed to numerous injuries in ATK’s ranks. ATK’s marquee player Robbie Keane has gone back home to treat his injured knee.
Meulensteen’s counterpart Teddy Sheringham, who chose to downplay Keane’s absence, said his side has enough bench strength to make up for the injured players.
Sheringham said he was aware of what Dimitar Berbatov could bring to the table.
He hoped the player doesn’t reproduce the kind of form he displayed during his Manchester United days on Friday.
Kerala Blasters v ATK, 8 p.m., Nov 17, 2017