I-League 2022-23 preview

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The upcoming season of the I-League, India’s second tier football competition is set to kick off on November 12. Matches will be played on a home-and-away basis, which will allow fans to engage more closely with their teams. The most interesting announcement to have been made so far is that teams will now be promoted to ISL, which will also help to connect the two domestic football leagues, as is the norm in most football playing nations. Relegation has not been discussed so far but could make an appearance in the 2024-25 season. The teams that will participate in the upcoming edition include Mohammedan Sporting, Rajasthan United, Roundglass Punjab, Sudeva Delhi, Churchill Brothers, Gokulam Kerala, NEROCA, Aizawl, Sreenidi Deccan, TRAU, Real Kashmir and Kenkre. Notably, the Indian Arrows team has been dissolved, and players are expected to be incorporated into Kenkre, who came close to relegation but will instead have to forego travel subsidies.

Furthermore, with the home-and-away format, teams are set to traverse the entire nation, ranging from the Payyanad and TRC stadium (in the South and North), and Cooperage and Khuman Lampak (in the West and East). AIFF’s travel subsidies are meant to ease the burden of the travel. Regarding the teams themselves, Gokulam Kerala are favourites to win, and are defending champions who have won both the previous editions of the league. This time, a victory brings with it the added allure of promotion to ISL, and the team are expected to put their best foot forward. However, this may be a challenge as the team have undergone some changes including changing the coach from Italian Vincenzo Annesse to Richard Towa of Cameroon, and the exit of 6 players leading to an overhaul of the squad which now includes Brazilian Everton Kaka.

Gokulam Kerala’s main challenger is expected to be Mohammedan Sporting Club, which was founded in 1891, and who have recently retained their Calcutta Football League title. With a new coach, the team have also qualified to the final of the Durand Cup, won the Calcutta Football League for twice, for the first time in 40 years, and had a very impressive campaign at the last edition of the I-League. Other teams that could leave a mark are Sreenidi Deccan FC, who debuted last season and finished third in the table, and Aizawl, who have demonstrated their passion for taking Mizo football to new heights. Rajasthan United have also been having an impressive run, after beating ATK Mohun Bagan and drawing with East Bengal at the Durand Cup.

I-League fans can tune into matches on Europort or Dicovery +, and DD Sports.