In a battle of prestige, Indian Super League teams are set to face I-League teams to make it perfect preparation for the forthcoming season which scheduled to begin from November 17 whereas there is no official date announced for I-League yet but expected to begin in the first week of November
Right from the start of ISL season one it has been the question all over the corner.., which one is better ISL or I-League? In terms of visibility, promotion, attendance and glamour I-League is nowhere near to ISL.That's the fact everyone unanimously agreed. But what about the quality of football being played? where the significance stands. Most of the football enthusiasts admitting that the quality of football is far better in I-League, but how can we sure about it ?. Since no matches between these two leagues' clubs haven’t played yet. ! Yes, that's going to expose very soon, in fact, it gets a start in this month of October.
On 22nd this month Northeast United will face I-League newbies Neroca FC at refurbished Khuman Lambak Stadium, Imphal.Neroca FC is current I-League division 2 champions and qualified for this edition’s I-League.They are currently undergoing intense training sessions at Imphal.Having already recruited some fine foreigners which include former A-League player Aryn Williams, Haiti International Fabien Vorbe and Kyrgystan International Akhilidin Israilov, they are looking for a perfect start to the new season under head coach Gift Raikhan.So facing ISL side Northeast United will give them much-needed match experience and an opportunity to play against a strong squad. Under Portuguese man Joao De Deus Northeast United FC who finished 5th last year, looking for breaking it into semi-finals this year.The team already completed impressive signings of foreigners and Indians now taking this opportunity to establish their fan base across Northeast India as well.Remarkably this match will mark the first-ever battle between ISL and I-league clubs.
I-league giants and CFL champions East Bengal will take on FC Pune City at Balewadi stadium on 30th of October.Having just crowned as the champions of Calcutta Football League (CFL) for the record 8th consecutive times the solidly built East Bengal side under Khalid Jamil set to give an I-League taste to their ISL counterparts.Meanwhile the Pune side currently training at their own facilities at Dharawli under newly appointed head coach Ranko Popovic.Even though they have secured the service of last year’s ISL top scorer Brazilian Marcelinho they failed to mark an impressive start to the new season as they held to a goalless draw by Goa Pro League side Sporting Club De Goa.What most shocking for them is that even after fielding eight foreigners they failed to score against a side which had no foreign players at all.Despite this disappointing start the Pune side comfortably beat Mizoram Premier League side and their partner club Chanmari FC by five goals to none in their second friendly match.The match was part of a tie-up between the two sides.Immediately after the match, FC Pune city signed two players from Chanmari, striker Jacob Vanlalhlimpuia and defender Joe Zoherliana.Whereas in exchange Chanmari recruited Gani Ahammed Nigam and SK Sajid Hossain on loan from FC Pune City.
Meanwhile, East Bengal’s arch-rival Mohun Bagan will carry the I-League pride against FC Goa on 3rd November at Bambolim Stadium, Goa.Though finished same point as East Bengal in Calcutta Football League the latter crowned as champions on goal differences.FC Goa who is currently training in Spain lost their respective friendly matches against FC Cartagena (1-4) and Real Murcia CF (1-2).So the Gaurs looking for nothing but a win when they gear up against Indian counterparts.Before coming back to India they will play two more friendlies in Spain.The biggest advantage of FC Goa is that they have managed to get a strong Indian player which includes the likes of Brandon Fernandes, Mandar Rao Desai and Manvir Singh from ISL auction.The Gaurs will also face East Bengal at the same venue on 9th November.These matches are the best opportunity for them to test their capabilities as both I-League sides are expected to field their best squads for the matches.
Indian capital’s sole representative Delhi Dynamos to face I-League side Minerva Punjab FC on 15th November, just two days before the curtain raiser of the new Indian Super League season.The match will be played at Ambedkar Stadium Delhi.Minerva Punjab , a team who produced four U17 world cup players for team India which includes Jeakson Singh who is India’s first ever goal scorer in a FIFA Tournament. Which is a remarkable feat as no other club in India couldn’t even have a single player for the U17 National side who represented India at FIFA U17 World Cup 2017.They are expected to field their young squad along with their foreign recruits against Delhi Dynamos.
Since the ISL and I-League will be playing simultaneously this season, it is set to see who will emerge as the ultimate winner in terms of quality of football being played.So the football fans across the country are excited and waiting to experience the much-demanded football matches.
