The I-League is the men’s second division of the Indian football league system.

Established in 2007, the I-League was founded as the successor to the National Football League (NFL). The inaugural season began in November that year.

Organised by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the league was launched as the country’s first ever top-tier professional football league with the objective to increase the player pool for the India national football team. 

Dempo SC won the inaugural edition of I-League in 2007-08. Since then, as many as 10 clubs have been crowned champions.

Since its inception, Dempo SC are the most successful team in the competition with three titles.

The likes of Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru FC and Gokulam Kerala have won it twice each.

Salgaocar, Minerva Punjab, Aizawl, Chennai City and RoundGlass Punjab have clinched the I-League once each.

From the 2022-23 season, I-League operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the I-League 2 and at first only promotion system with the Indian Super League (ISL) - the top tier of Indian football.

RoundGlass Punjab (currently known as Punjab FC) won the previous edition of I-League in the 2022-23 season. They pipped second-placed Sreenidi Deccan by 10 points to clinch their maiden I-League. With the win, they secured promotion to ISL.

Mohammedan SC are the new I-League champions as they qualify for ISL 2024-25 season. Get I-League winners list.

I-League winners list: Know all the champions from 2007-2024

Season	Champion	Runner-up	Third Place	Teams
2007-08	Dempo	Churchill Brothers	JCT	10
2008-09	Churchill Brothers	Mohun Bagan	Sporting Goa	12
2009-10	Dempo	Churchill Brothers	Pune FC	14
2010-11	Salgaocar	East Bengal	Dempo	14
2011-12	Dempo	East Bengal	Churchill Brothers	14
2012-13	Churchill Brothers	Pune FC	East Bengal	14
2013-14	Bengaluru FC	East Bengal	Salgaocar	13
2014-15	Mohun Bagan	Bengaluru FC	Royal Wahingdoh	11
2015-16	Bengaluru FC	Mohun Bagan	East Bengal	9
2016-17	Aizawl FC	Mohun Bagan	East Bengal	10
2017-18	Minerva Punjab	NEROCA	Mohun Bagan	10
2018-19	Chennai City	East Bengal	Real Kashmir	11
2019-20	Mohun Bagan	Not Awarded		11
2020-21	Gokulam Kerala	Churchill Brothers	TRAU	11
2021-22	Gokulam Kerala	Mohammedan SC	Sreenidi Deccan	13
2022-23	RoundGlass Punjab	Sreenidi Deccan	Gokulam Kerala	12
2023-24	Mohammedan SC	Sreenidi Deccan	Real Kashmir	13

Most successful teams in I-League: Titles won by each team

Club	Titles	Winning season(s)
Dempo	3	2007-08, 2009-10, 2011-12
Churchill Brothers	2	2008-09, 2012-13
Mohun Bagan	2	2014-15, 2019-20
Bengaluru FC	2	2013-14, 2015-16
Gokulam Kerala	2	2020-21, 2021-22
Salgaocar	1	2010-11
Minerva Punjab	1	2017-18
Aizawl	1	2016-17
Chennai City	1	2018-19
RoundGlass Punjab	1	2022-23
Mohammedan SC	1	2023-24

Photo credit: Alamy

The I-League 2023-24 season will start on Saturday, October 28, with Real Kashmir hosting Rajasthan FC at the TRC Polo Synthetic Turf Ground in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

Organised by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the I-League is the men's second-tier of the Indian football league pyramid.

The 17th edition of the I-League will see as many as 13 clubs play a total of 156 matches on a home-and-away double round-robin format. Each team will play 24 matches each.

Aizawl FC, Churchill Brothers FC Goa, Delhi FC, Gokulam Kerala FC, Inter Kashi, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Namdhari FC, Neroca FC, Rajasthan United FC, Real Kashmir FC, Shillong Lajong FC,Sreenidi Deccan FC and Tiddim Road Athletic Union FC are the 13 clubs that will compete in I-League 2023-24.

Uttar Pradesh-based Inter Kashi and Namdhari Sports from Punjab are the two new additions to the I-League. Both the clubs have secured direct entry to the league through a bid approved by the AIFF.

Meanwhile, Delhi FC and Shillong Lajong are the two teams that have bagged promotion from the I-League 2022-23 second division.

Having won I-League 2022-23 second division, Delhi FC earned their maiden promotion to the I-League after beating Ambernath United Atlanta FC 3-1 in the final round.

On the other hand, Shillong Lajong became the first team to secure promotion to the I-League 2023-24 from the ongoing second division league season. Shillong Lajong is back in the I-League after a gap of four years.

As per the I-League 2023-24 format, the team finishing at the top of the standings after all 156 matches will emerge as I-League 2023-24 champions. They will be eligible for promotion to the Indian Super League 2024-25 provided they fulfil the Club Licensing criteria.

Defending champions Punjab FC have already been promoted to the ISL.

Every club can register five foreigners in their squads, with a maximum of three allowed on the pitch at a time for I-League 2023-24. There will no longer be any AFC player quota requirements.

Where to watch I-League 2023-24 live?

The I-League 2023-24 will be telecast live on Eurosport TV channel in India.

Live streaming of the I-League 2023-24 will be available on Indian Football’s YouTube channel.

Photo credit: Alamy

The I-League 2021-22 season will resume on Thursday, March 3, 2022, in Kolkata after a brief pause to ensure the safety of all the players and officials involved in the league.

The I-League - India's second-tier football competition - was suspended in the first week of January earlier this year after more than 50 players tested positive for COVID-19. Prior to the suspension, only six matches were played on December 26 and 27, 2021. All players and teams are now expected to report by February 20.

Once inside the bio-bubble, each individual needs to serve seven days in quarantine with three more tests being done. On receiving three negative RT-PCR tests in quarantine, the players and officials will be free to operate from within the bubble and attend training sessions, meals, team meetings, and matches.

“We had stopped the league initially as we wanted to ensure the safety of the players and officials involved, and did not want COVID-19 to spread,�?said AIFF Leagues CEO Sunando Dhar. “Now, after getting the clearance from the relevant authorities and a go-ahead from Dr. Harsh Mahajan, we feel that with the positivity rates going down, this is the best time to restart the season,�?he added.

“I have been in touch with all the clubs, and they have all expressed their excitement, and are looking forward to the restart,�?Dhar said.

There will be no change in format for the I-League, with the 13 teams set to play against each other once in a round-robin format, in the first round. Once the first round is concluded, the teams will be divided into two groups �?the top seven teams in Group A competing for the championship title while the bottom six in Group B will be embroiled in a relegation battle. Each club will play their opponents in their respective groups once in a round-robin format, in the second round.

The matches will be played across three venues in Kolkata �?Kalyani Municipal Stadium, Naihati Stadium, and the Mohun Bagan Ground.

Featured photo: AIFF Media

The I-League 2021-22 season is set to commence on Sunday, December 26 with TRAU FC opening the proceedings against Indian Arrows at Mohun Bagan Ground in Kolkata. Defending champions Gokulam Kerala will kick-start their campaign against Churchill Brothers on the same day.

Unlike the previous season, the number of teams in the I-League 2021-22 season has been increased from 11 to 13. Earlier this month, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) banned former I-League champions Chennai City FC for the upcoming season after failing to comply with club licensing regulations.

The team was eventually replaced with Kenkre FC from Mumbai who are one of the two new teams along with Rajasthan United FC. Meanwhile, Sreenidi Deccan FC are also making their I-League debut this season.

Meanwhile, due to the rising cases of COVID-19 in the country, the tournament will be held behind closed doors and the teams are set to stay in a bio-bubble for the entire duration of the I-League. Furthermore, all the matches will be played in West Bengal with Mohun Bagan Ground, Kalyani Stadium and Naihati Stadium finalized as the three venues.

I-League 2021-22 teams and format

The 13 teams competing in I-League 2021-22 season are Aizawl FC, Churchill Brothers, Gokulam Kerala, Indian Arrows, Kenkre, Mohammedan, NEROCA, RoundGlass Punjab FC, Rajasthan United, Real Kashmir, Sreenidi Deccan FC, Sudeva Delhi and TRAU.

In addition to that, the AIFF has allowed a maximum of four foreign players per team and at least one of those four must come from an AFC-affiliated country. Note that Indian Arrows cannot sign any foreign player as they are a part of AIFF’s developmental program.

The format of the I-League 2021-22 season has been kept the same as that of the previous campaign. This means all teams will play each other once in a round-robin format in Phase 1 before being divided into two groups in Phase 2. The teams finishing within the top seven spots will acquire Group A while the remaining six teams will make up Group B.

Once the bifurcation is done, the top seven teams will compete against each other in the Championship stage where the team finishing with the most points will not only win the title, but will also get a place in the 2023 AFC Cup. On the other hand, teams in Group B will play for survival as the team with the lowest points will be relegated to the 2022-23 2nd division league.

I-League 2021-22 schedule, fixtures and India match times 

All timings are in Indian Standard Time (IST)

Date	Match	Venue	Time (IST)
December 26	TRAU vs Indian Arrows	Mohun Bagan Ground	2:00 PM IST
December 26	Gokulam Kerala vs Churchill Brothers	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
December 26	Rajasthan United vs Punjab FC	Kalyani Stadium	7:30 PM IST
December 27	NEROCA vs Sreenidi Deccan	Naihati Stadium	2:00 PM IST
December 27	Real Kashmir vs Aizawl	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
December 27	Mohammedan vs Sudeva Delhi	Naihati Stadium	7:30 PM IST
December 30	Sreenidi Deccan vs TRAU	Mohun Bagan Ground	2:00 PM IST
December 30	NEROCA vs Gokulam Kerala	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
December 30	Aizawl vs Mohammedan	Kalyani Stadium	7:30 PM IST
December 31	Sudeva Delhi vs Indian Arrows	Naihati Stadium	2:00 PM IST
December 31	Real Kashmir vs Kenkre	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
December 31	Punjab vs FC vs Churchill Brothers	Naihati Stadium	7:30 PM IST
January 4	Mohammedan vs Sreenidi Deccan	Mohun Bagan Ground	2:00 PM IST
January 4	Gokulam Kerala vs Real Kashmir	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
January 4	TRAU vs NEROCA	Kalyani Stadium	7:30 PM IST
January 5	Rajasthan United vs Aizawl	Naihati Stadium	2:00 PM IST
January 5	Kenkre vs Punjab FC	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
January 5	Churchill Brothers vs Sudeva Delhi	Naihati Stadium	7:30 PM IST
January 9	Rajasthan United vs Sudeva Delhi	Mohun Bagan Ground	2:00 PM IST
January 9	Punjab vs Aizawl	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
January 9	Real Kashmir vs Sreenidi Deccan	Kalyani Stadium	7:30 PM IST
January 10	TRAU vs Churchill Brothers	Naihati Stadium	2:00 PM IST
January 10	Gokulam Kerala vs Kenkre FC	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
January 10	Mohammedan vs Indian Arrows	Naihati Stadium	7:30 PM IST
January 14	Sudeva Delhi vs Aizawl	Mohun Bagan Ground	2:00 PM IST
January 14	Punjab FC vs Sreenidi Deccan	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
January 14	Real Kashmir vs NEROCA	Kalyani Stadium	7:30 PM IST
January 15	Rajasthan United vs India Arrows	Naihati Stadium	2:00 PM IST
January 15	Mohammedan vs Churchill Brothers	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
January 15	TRAU vs Kenkre FC	Naihati Stadium	7:30 PM IST
January 19	Indian Arrows vs Aizawl	Mohun Bagan Ground	2:00 PM IST
January 19	Sudeva Delhi vs Sreenidi Deccan	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
January 19	Punjab FC vs NEROCA	Kalyani Stadium	7:30 PM IST
January 20	Rajasthan United vs Churchill Brothers	Naihati Stadium	2:00 PM IST
January 20	TRAU vs Gokulam Kerala	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
January 20	Mohammedan vs Kenkre FC	Naihati Stadium	7:30 PM IST
January 24	Indian Arrows vs Sreenidi Deccan	Mohun Bagan Ground	2:00 PM IST
January 24	Sudeva Delhi vs NEROCA	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
January 24	Churchill Brothers vs Aizawl	Kalyani Stadium	7:30 PM IST
January 25	Rajasthan United vs Kenkre FC	Naihati Stadium	2:00 PM IST
January 25	Punjab FC vs Real Kashmir	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
January 25	Mohammedan vs Gokulam Kerala	Naihati Stadium	7:30 PM IST
January 29	NEROCA vs Indian Arrows	Mohun Bagan Ground	2:00 PM IST
January 29	Aizawl vs Kenkre FC	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
January 29	Sreenidi Deccan vs Churchill Brothers	Kalyani Stadium	7:30 PM IST
January 30	Real Kashmir vs Sudeva Delhi	Naihati Stadium	2:00 PM IST
January 30	Gokulam Kerala vs Rajasthan United	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
January 30	TRAU vs Mohammedan	Naihati Stadium	7:30 PM IST
February 3	Sreenidi Deccan vs Kenkre FC	Mohun Bagan Ground	2:00 PM IST
February 3	Aizawl FC vs Gokulam Kerala	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
February 3	NEROCA vs Churchill Brothers	Kalyani Stadium	7:30 PM IST
February 4	Real Kashmir vs Indian Arrows	Naihati Stadium	2:00 PM IST
February 4	Punjab FC vs Sudeva Delhi	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
February 4	TRAU vs Rajasthan United	Naihati Stadium	7:30 PM IST
February 8	NEROCA vs Kenkre FC	Mohun Bagan Ground	2:00 PM IST
February 8	Sreenidi Deccan vs Gokulam Kerala	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
February 8	Aizawl vs TRAU	Kalyani Stadium	7:30 PM IST
February 9	Punjab FC vs Indian Arrows	Naihati Stadium	2:00 PM IST
February 9	Mohammedan vs Rajasthan United	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
February 9	Real Kashmir vs Churchill Brothers	Naihati Stadium	7:30 PM IST
February 13	NEROCA vs Aizawl	Mohun Bagan Ground	2:00 PM IST
February 13	Rajasthan United vs Real Kashmir	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
February 13	Mohammedan vs Punjab FC	Kalyani Stadium	7:30 PM IST
February 14	TRAU vs Sudeva Delhi	Naihati Stadium	2:00 PM IST
February 14	Gokulam Kerala vs Indain Arrows	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
February 14	Kenkre FC vs Churchill Brothers	Naihati Stadium	7:30 PM IST
February 18	Aizawl vs Sreenidi Deccan	Mohun Bagan Ground	2:00 PM IST
February 18	NEROCA vs Rajasthan United	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
February 18	Real Kashmir vs Mohammedan	Kalyani Stadium	7:30 PM IST
February 19	Indian Arrows vs Kenkre FC	Naihati Stadium	2:00 PM IST
February 19	Sudeva Delhi vs Gokulam Kerala	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
February 19	Punjab FC vs TRAU	Naihati Stadium	7:30 PM IST
February 23	Sreenidi Deccan vs Rajasthan United	Mohun Bagan Ground	2:00 PM IST
February 23	NEROCA vs Mohammedan	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
February 23	Real Kashmir vs TRAU	Kalyani Stadium	7:30 PM IST
February 24	Sudeva Delhi vs Kenkre FC	Naihati Stadium	2:00 PM IST
February 24	Punjab FC vs Gokulam Kerala	Kalyani Stadium	4:30 PM IST
February 24	Indian Arrows vs Churchill Brothers	Naihati Stadium	7:30 PM IST

Where to watch the I-League 2021-22 live in India?

The live telecast of the I-League 2021-22 season will be available on the 1Sports TV channel in India.

The live streaming of the I-League 2021-22 season can be viewed on the Facebook page of 1Sports.

Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates from the world of sports!

Featured photo: AFP / Tauseef Mustafa

The I-League 2021-22 season will begin with TRAU FC taking on the Indian Arrows at the Mohun Bagan Ground in Kolkata on Sunday, December 26, 2021. The game will kick off at 2 PM IST.

The matches in the I-League this season will be played across three venues �?the Mohun Bagan Ground in Kolkata, the Kalyani Stadium in Kalyani, and the Naihati Stadium in Naihati.

All the teams and their staff, along with the referees, officials, and volunteers will be housed inside bio-secured bubbles in four different hotels across Kolkata.

The number of teams in the I-League has increased this season, with as many as 13 teams taking part in the league. The new entrants - Sreenidi Deccan FC, Rajasthan United FC and Kenkre FC - have made their way to the league by dint of finishing first and second in the I-League Qualifiers 2021, respectively.

“The AIFF has been a pioneer in the Indian sporting ecosystem in hosting sporting events from inside bio-bubbles, and we are happy to continue providing a safe haven for the players, referees, and everyone else involved in running the league,�?said AIFF Leagues CEO Sunando Dhar.

“We also need to thank all our partners, because the logistical and financial effort to house 13 teams in a bio-bubble for an entire season would not have been possible without their help,�?Dhar added.

As per the tournament format, all teams will play against each other once in a round-robin format in Phase 1, before they get split into two groups in Phase 2 of the I-league. The top seven teams will make up Group A whereas the bottom six will make up Group B.

Phase 2 will see teams in their respective groups play in a single leg round-robin format. While the teams in Group A will play to determine the champions, those in Group B will be in a relegation battle.

Featured photo: AIFF Media

Football, one of the most followed sports in India, still plays host to the oldest football tournament of entire Asia and the third oldest in the world, the Durand Cup.

India’s prosperous history in football needs no introduction. However, its landscape has changed a lot. Take the Federation Cup for example. Started in 1977, it was India’s premier football competition until the I-League, formerly known as National Football League, came into existence in 1997.

The I-League has now been replaced by the Indian Super League, established in 2014, as the country’s premier football tournament.

Despite ISL’s overpowering presence, India hosts several major tournaments in the country. Here are all the available football trophies in India.

Super Cup

Initially started as the Federation Cup, the Super Cup came into existence in 2018. Until 2017, the winner of the Federation Cup was given a direct entry to the AFC Cup. Since 2018 though, the tournament has seen its fair share of controversies, as in 2019, as many as seven I-League clubs pulled out of the competition, saying the sides have been treated unfairly by the AIFF.

To date, only two editions of the Super Cup have been played, with Bengaluru FC winning one and FC Goa winning the other.

Santosh Trophy

Way before the I-League was played under the name of the National Football League, Santosh Trophy was India’s top domestic football competition. Santosh Trophy, a knock-out competition, is played between all the states of India and government institutions under the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Its first edition was played during the 1941-42 football season with West Bengal defeating Delhi 5-1 in the final. More than 70 editions of the Santosh Trophy have been played till date with West Bengal winning a record 32.

IFA Shield

The IFA Shield is the fourth oldest football competition in the world, having started in 1893. Unlike the Santosh Trophy, where state teams and government institutions are invited, the IFA Shield invites clubs from all over the world to compete. The notable foreign winners of this competition are Club Atletico Penarol of Uruguay (1985) and Bayern Munich II (2005). East Bengal have won the IFA Shield a record 29 times while Mohun Bagan have won it 22 times.

Durand Cup

Started by India’s Foreign Secretary, Mortimer Durand in 1888, the Durand Cup has seen many ups and downs. The tournament was suspended twice during the two World Wars and has seen several changes over the years. Post India’s independence, the venue of the Durand Cup was set to move to Pakistan, but the decision was resisted by many.

Since its inception, a whopping 130 editions of the Durand Cup have been played, with Mohun Bagan and East Bengal dominating the title tally with a joint record of 16 championships each. The competition is played in a round-robin format followed by the knockout rounds.

I-League

The I-League was established in 2007 as the successor of the National Football League. A total of 10 teams participated in its first-ever edition with each team playing 18 matches throughout the season. The likes of Dempo and Churchill Brothers finished with 36 points each but the former clinched the title on the back of a superior goal difference. 

For many years, the I-League was considered India’s premier football competition, but all that changed since the inception of the Indian Super League.

Indian Super League

Established in 2014, the Indian Super League brought the glitter and glamour along with its first edition. Eight teams participated in the 2014 season with the top four teams qualifying for the knockouts. Atletico de Kolkata (now ATK Mohun Bagan) defeated Kerala Blasters 1-0 in the final to win the inaugural season. The team has since won three ISL titles (most by any team) followed by Chennaiyin FC (two).

The first three editions of the Indian Super League were played without any official recognition from the Asian Football Confederation and FIFA. In 2019, however, it was announced that ISL will replace the I-League as India’s top-tier competition with the former now being the second-tier competition. 

From the 2024-25 season, promotion and relegation will come into effect in the ISL. Before that, the I-League winners will get direct entry in ISL in 2022 and 2023.

Indian Women’s League

The Indian Women’s League (IWL) is India’s top tier competition of women’s football. Inaugurated in 2016, four seasons of IWL have been played so far and four different teams have won the championship. The latest edition of IWL saw Gokulam Kerala defeat KRYPHSA Football Club 3-2 in the 2019-20 final.

Indian Women’s League is played in a round-robin format between 12 teams. Bifurcated in two groups of six teams each, the top two teams from each group qualify for the semi-final before making their way to the ultimate showdown.

Featured photo: AFP / Diptendu Dutta

The I-League Qualifiers 2021 is all set to kick-off on Monday, October 4 as Rajasthan United will lock horns with Ryntih SC at the Bangalore Football Stadium.

As many as nine teams will fight it out for promotion to the upcoming I-League 2021-22 season with the I-League Qualifiers scheduled to conclude on Saturday, October 23, 2021. The team that wins the Qualifiers will gain entry to the coveted league.

All the matches will be played adhering to the medical parameters laid down by the authorities in Bengaluru, at the Bangalore Football Stadium. All the teams have been housed within two hotels, abiding by the protocols of the COVID bubble.

AIFF Leagues CEO, Mr. Sunando Dhar said, “We are all excited to kick-off the Indian football season at the national level with the I-League Qualifiers once again, and I am happy to say that all the matches will be broadcast live on the I-League’s official Facebook page. The stream will be of a high quality, which will ensure a good viewing experience for the fans.�?/span>

“I thank all our partners for their unprecedented support in promoting Indian football, even in such difficult times as that of a pandemic. The journey traversed together will help a long way in taking Indian football forward together,�?he added.

Meanwhile, nine teams have been divided into two groups - Group A includes Bengaluru United, Rajasthan United FC, Ryntih SC and Madan Maharaj FC while Group B comprises Kerala United FC, Delhi FC, Corbett FC, Kenkre Sports and ARA FC.

Group Draws

Group A: Rajasthan United FC, Ryntih SC, Madan Maharaj FC, FC Bengaluru United.

Group B: Corbett FC, Kenkre Sports, ARA FC, Kerala United FC, Delhi FC.

Fixtures:

Group Stage:

All times in India Standard Time (IST)

October 4: Rajasthan United vs Ryntih SC, BFS, 3.45 PM

October 5: Kerala United vs Kenkre Sports, BFS, 12.30 PM

October 5: Corbett FC vs ARA FC, BFS, 3.45 PM

October 6: Rajasthan United vs FC Bengaluru United, BFS, 3.45 PM

October 7: Delhi FC vs ARA FC, BFS, 12.30 PM

October 7: Kerala United vs Corbett FC, BFS, 3.45 PM

October 8: FC Bengaluru United vs Madan Maharaj FC, BFS, 3.45 PM

October 9: Corbett FC vs Delhi FC, BFS, 12.30 PM

October 9: ARA FC vs Kenkre Sports, BFS, 3.45 PM

October 11: Ryntih SC vs Madan Maharaj FC, BFS, 3.45 PM

October 12: Kenkre Sports vs Corbett FC, BFS, 12.30 PM IST

October 12: Delhi FC vs Kerala United, BFS, 3.45 PM

October 13: FC Bengaluru United vs Ryntih SC (Venue & Time TBD)

October 13: Madan Maharaj FC vs Rajasthan United, BFS (Venue & Time TBD) 

October 14: ARA FC vs Kerala United (Venue & Time TBD) 

October 14: Kenkre Sports vs Delhi FC (Venue & Time TBD)

Final Round:

October 18: B2 vs A1, BFS, 12.30 PM

October 18: B1 vs A2, BFS, 3.45 PM

October 20: B1 vs B2, BFS, 12.30 PM

October 20: A1 vs A2, BFS, 3.45 PM

October 23: A2 vs B2 (Venue & Time TBD)

October 23: B1 vs A1 (Venue & Time TBD)

Where to watch I-League Qualifiers 2021 live in India?

Live streaming of I-League Qualifiers 2021 matches will be available on the I-League’s official Facebook page.

There will be no telecast of the I-League Qualifiers 2021 matches in India.

Featured photo: Twitter/ILeagueOfficial

The I-League Qualifiers 2021 will start at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Monday, October 4 and run until Saturday, October 23.

The tournament will feature nine teams, which have been divided into two groups each, who will compete to secure entry for the upcoming I-League 2021-22 season.

While Group A comprises Bengaluru United, Rajasthan United FC, Ryntih SC and Madan Maharaj FC, Group B includes Kerala United FC, Delhi FC, Corbett FC, Kenkre Sports and ARA FC.

According to the tournament schedule, the group stage will witness two matches being played daily - the first one at 12.30 PM IST, and the second at 3.45 PM IST.

As many as 26 matches will be played during the whole course of the tournament with 20 of those being in the group stage, while the Final Round will feature six matches. 

The top two teams in each group will qualify for the Final Round where they will face each other once in a round-robin format. The teams that will secure the top spot will qualify for the upcoming edition of the I-League.

The venues and timings of the final matchdays of Group A, Group B, and the Final Round are yet to be decided (TBD), based on the standings of the respective teams at that time.

I-League Qualifiers 2021 Groups

Group A: Rajasthan United FC, Hyderya Sports Kashmir FC, Ryntih SC, Madan Maharaj FC, FC Bengaluru United.

Group B: Corbett FC, Kenkre Sports, ARA FC, Kerala United FC, Delhi FC

I-League Qualifiers 2021: Schedule, fixtures and India match times 

All times in India Standard Time (IST)

Day and Date	Match	Venue	Time
Monday, October 4	Rajasthan United vs Ryntih SC	Bangalore Football Stadium	3.45 PM
Tuesday, October 5	Kerala United vs Kenkre Sports	Bangalore Football Stadium	12.30 PM
Tuesday, October 5	Corbett FC vs ARA FC	Bangalore Football Stadium	3.45 PM
Wednesday, October 6	Rajasthan United vs FC Bengaluru United	Bangalore Football Stadium	12.30 PM
Thursday, October 7	Delhi FC vs ARA FC	Bangalore Football Stadium	12.30 PM
Thursday, October 7	Kerala United vs Corbett FC	Bangalore Football Stadium	3.45 PM
Friday, October 8	FC Bengaluru United vs Madan Maharaj FC	Bangalore Football Stadium	3.45 PM
Saturday, October 9	Corbett FC vs Delhi FC	Bangalore Football Stadium	12.30 PM
Saturday, October 9	ARA FC vs Kenkre Sports	Bangalore Football Stadium	3.45 PM
Monday, October 11	FC Bengaluru United vs Ryntih SC	Bangalore Football Stadium	12.30 PM
Monday, October 11	Madan Maharaj FC vs Rajasthan United	Bangalore Football Stadium	3.45 PM
Tuesday, October 12	Kenkre Sports vs Corbett FC	Bangalore Football Stadium	12.30 PM
Tuesday, October 12	Delhi FC vs Kerala United	Bangalore Football Stadium	3.45 PM
Wednesday, October 13	Ryntih SC vs Madan Maharaj FC	TBD	TBD
Thursday, October 13	ARA FC vs Kerala United	TBD	TBD
Thursday, October 13	Kenkre Sports vs Delhi FC	TBD	TBD

Final Round

Day and Date	Match	Venue	Time
Monday, October 18	B2 vs A1	Bangalore Football Stadium	12.30 PM
Monday, October 18	B1 vs A2	Bangalore Football Stadium	3.45 PM
Wednesday, October 20	B1 vs B2	Bangalore Football Stadium	12.30 PM
Wednesday, October 20	A1 vs A2	Bangalore Football Stadium	3.45 PM
Saturday, October 23	A2 vs B2	TBD	TBD
Saturday, October 23	B1 vs A1	TBD	TBD

Featured photo: All India Football Federation

Ahead of the upcoming domestic 2021-22 season, BDFA Super Division champions FC Bengaluru United (FCBU) have signed Luka Majcen and Pedro Manzi, as the club looks to add additional firepower to its attack.

The foreign duo’s first assignment for the club will be the Durand Cup. The tournament begins in Kolkata next month and FCBU are one of the 16 teams invited to participate in it.

The 32-year-old Slovenian forward Luka Majcen joins FCBU as a free agent, following a one-season stint with Churchill Brothers in last season's I-League. Majcen finished the I-League season with an impressive return of 11 goals; a tally that saw him finish second in the Golden Boot race in the league. He also registered two assists to go with his 11 goals. 

Before his entry into the Indian domestic football circuit in 2020, Majcen plied his trade in Slovenian football, representing a number of top clubs in the region. He is a two-time winner of the Slovenian Cup, which is the top knockout tournament in Slovenian football.

 

“I am delighted to join FC Bengaluru United for the new season,�?Majcen said

“The club has a clear goal and vision about where they see themselves in the coming years - which is to be playing in the I-League. My objective is to help the team win and achieve this goal together with my new teammates. I am excited about the opportunity and am looking forward to working with head coach Richard Hood, whose reputation as one of the sharpest coaches in Indian football precedes him,�?Majcen added.

Luka Majcen will be looking to form a partnership in attack with fellow new signee Pedro Manzi. Manzi took Indian football by storm in his debut season with Chennai City FC in the 2018-19 I-League. The Spanish forward finished that season as the Golden Boot winner in the I-League with 26 goals. 

His exploits led Chennai City FC to the I-League crown that season, and FCBU will be hoping that their new recruit will be able to recreate his goal-scoring form from that particular season.

“I am very happy to return to India and play for FC Bengaluru United. Bengaluru has a great sporting culture, and the fans really support their team. I would like to use all my career experience to help the team grow, whether it is with my offensive tactical play, assists for goals and also the way I apply pressure with my defensive skills,�?Manzi said.

 

"Being part of the FC Bengaluru United journey will help me in my own professional journey. I was excited to accept this challenge and look forward to playing a leading role in guiding the club to the I-League. The club has seamless processes in place and has enjoyed a great growth journey over the last few years �?the results are there for all to see. So, it was very easy for me to accept the offer after speaking to their head coach Richard Hood and general manager Somanna CS," Manzi added. 

"With 2 foreign players allowed on the pitch there was a lot of effort behind the analysis that went into identifying and securing our prime targets for our promotion bid," said FC Bengaluru United head coach Richard Hood.

 "In Luka we have a thorough team player who brings a lot of hunger, intensity and ferocity with every minute that he is involved in. There is a tremendous work ethic and desire to win that complements our playing style from the front both on and off the ball. His efforts are sure to get us a lot of goals. 

“Pedro is lethal in the final third of the pitch and has proven that with plenty of conviction in two campaigns of the I-League. Apart from his scoring and high assist track record - we recognised his strong playmaking abilities around which we have built a squad that will control the game and progress the attack with pace and precision."

Featured photo: Bengaluru United

Bengaluru United goalkeeper Srijith Ramesh has revealed that he has been inspired by former Indian footballer and current first-team coach Gouramangi Singh. The 25-year-old custodian further stated that the retired center-back has been hugely beneficial for the Bengaluru United squad.

Gouramangi Singh made 71 appearances for the Indian national football team over the course of his playing career.

“Gouramangi serves as an ideal role model for each player at the club because of what he has already done in his playing career, and how he continues to dedicate himself to training every single day. His insight feels very easy to relate to because he can analyse each situation from a player’s perspective and help the team out,”�?Srijith Ramesh said.

“Moreover, he is a very approachable person and he takes a lot of interest in each player, particularly in the defensive unit of the team, as that’s where his biggest expertise lies,�?the goalkeeper from Karnataka added.

It would seem that Srijith is on his way to follow the footsteps of the former India international and looks up to the player-turned-coach in more ways than one. Apart from serving the club as the custodian between the goalposts, Srijith also coaches the kids in the Bengaluru United Academy.

 

 

 “I work with very young players in the Under-8 and Under-12 age categories from the Academy. The primary focus when I am working with such young kids is to try to make them fall in love with the game. At this age, more than developing their skills right away, a coach needs to ensure that they have fun playing football. This way, they will continue playing the sport in their formative years and get better at the game. Although the training is very different in the Academy structure and the first team, the approach to coaching is an aspect in which I can learn from Gouramangi,�?Srijith said.

 Bengaluru United has adopted a pioneering approach in creating a pathway for first-team players to become trainers by enabling them to take up coaching responsibilities in the youth setup. Srijith is making the most of this opportunity at the moment.

 “I have been with the club since its inception, and I always wanted to do more. I have some time to spare on my hands after the first-team training sessions, and I wanted to proactively take up coaching the kids at this time. 

“The senior management and staff at Bengaluru United have fully encouraged this move.  Bengaluru United head coach Richard Hood has been a great mentor for me and offered his support at each step. He has worked in Indian grassroots football for over 8 years now, so he naturally has a lot to offer when it comes to youth development in football,�?the I-League 2nd Division goalkeeper added.

Featured photo: Bengaluru United