Top 10 matches you must not miss in I-League 2021-22 season

These games are expected to bring forth the best the league has to offer the audiences.

The 2021-22 edition of the I-League will begin from December 26. The league comprises of 13 teams keen to get a hand on the silverware. The league will be played at three different stadiums in West Bengal — Mohun Bagan Ground, Kalyani Municipal Stadium and Naihati Stadium. Similar to last season, fans will have no access to the grounds due to the Covid protocols.

Before the season begins, here are the top 10 matches to watch out in I-League 2021-22 season.

10. Rajasthan United Vs RoundGlass Punjab

Debutants Rajasthan United will be playing their first ever I-League game on December 26 against one of the probable contenders of the league, RoundGlass Punjab. Rajasthan United are the first-ever club from the state to feature in such a high-tier of Indian football. Who will emerge victorious? Marcelinho and Komron Tursunov of Rajasthan or Joseba Beitia and Travis Major of Punjab? Only time will tell. But, will this encounter turn out to be a North-Western classico in the future?

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9. Mohammedan SC Vs Sreenidhi Deccan

The match between Kolkata Giants Mohammedan Sporting Club and new entrants Sreenidhi Deccan FC will take place at the Mohun Bagan Ground from 2 pm. Hyderabad has a rich history of producing many top footballers who have plied their trade in the Kolkata Maidan. This time, however, there are hardly any such names in Sreenidhi.

Mohammedan SC look like a mighty side on paper. Adding to this, they have also played quite a number of matches in various tournaments prior to the league. On the other hand, Sreenidhi Deccan FC have a comparatively brand-new squad for their debut season.

8. Gokulam Kerala Vs Real Kashmir

Defending champions Gokulam Kerala will lock horns with Real Kashmir in I-League 2021-22 at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium on January 4, 2022 at 4:30 pm. The Malabarians have seen an exodus of players after winning the I-League title last season. On the other hand, Real Kashmir remains a hard nut to crack. They could be tougher and hungrier this season after winning the IFA Shield a few days back. The clash between the northern and southern teams will certainly be a treat to witness!

7. Real Kashmir Vs Sreenidhi Deccan

Coach David Robertson will be hoping his side come out victorious against the debutants. On the other hand, Fernando Varela is an experienced coach, who has already won a trophy in India (Durand Cup with Gokulam Kerala in 2019). The clash of two heavyweight coaches will be something that the Indian football community will be looking forward to and both of them will be wanting to win their maiden I-League titles.

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The match will be played at 7:30 pm at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium. The cool weather prevalent will just add to the fury of this encounter.

6. Rajasthan United Vs Kenkre FC

The two debutants will face each other in I-League 2021-22 at the Naihati Stadium on January 25. The duel between Francesc Bonet and Akhil Kothari is one of the reasons the fixture is in this list. How an Indian coach deals with the Spanish style will be witnessed in this encounter. Rajasthan United are definitely a heavyweight in this fixture and favourites to emerge victorious in this game. But will Kenkre FC be able to stop them in their tracks with a full domestic side? All eyes will certainly be on this fixture! The match with kick-off at 2:00 pm.

5. Mohammedan SC Vs Gokulam Kerala

Similar to the previous encounter, this match will also take place at the Naihati Stadium on January 25. The match will kick-off at 7:30 pm in the evening. This game could be a high-voltage encounter as both teams are equally-balanced.

Gokulam Kerala will be looking for revenge as they lost to Mohammedan SC in the quarter-finals of the Durand Cup a few months ago, courtesy of a solitary goal from their former front-man Marcus Joseph. The Kolkata Giants, on the other hand, will be looking upon Joseph to deliver once again and snatch three valuable points.

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4. Sreenidhi Deccan vs Gokulam Kerala

The match will be played at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium. Former Gokulam Kerala boss Fernando Varela is now in-charge of Sreenidhi Deccan and both teams look well-matched on paper. This very encounter could lead to many mathematical equations on the points table. It will be a funny sight to watch other clubs looking forward to this encounter and hoping for a result that will go in their favour.

A duel between Rahim Osumanu and former Gokulam Kerala skipper Mohamed Awal (now at Sreenidhi Deccan) can be seen, if things go in order.

3. RoundGlass Punjab Vs Indian Arrows

The Naihati Stadium will witness an epic battle between a heavily experienced RoundGlass Punjab side and an inexperienced but immensely talented contingent of Indian Arrows. RoundGlass Punjab have the likes of former ISL stars Rino Anto, CK Vineeth, Robin Singh and Kean Lewis.

On the contrary, Indian Arrows have some young blood in the form of Lalchhanhima Sailo, Parthib Gogoi, Vellington Fernandes and Evan Thapa.

Another battle to watch out in this game? Definitely the one between two tacticians — Ashley Westwood and Shanmugam Venkatesh. The match will begin at 2:00 pm.

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2. Mohammedan SC vs RoundGlass Punjab

The I-League 2021-22 clash between these two teams will take place at Kalyani from 7:30 pm. This will perhaps be the best encounter of the league. On one hand, Andrey Chernyshov will be hoping for his team to come out stronger. On the other hand, Ashley Westwood will be chasing the victory against one of the oldest teams of Indian football to mark a scintillating comeback to the vertical in style.

1. RoundGlass Punjab Vs Gokulam Kerala

This game will be played at Kalyani with the kick-off slated to happen at 4:30 pm. At the latter stage of the league, this game will thrive some nail-biting action. How the likes of Sharif Mukhammad and Rahim Osumanu fight their way out against Joseba Beitia and co. will be a treat to watch.

The Punjab-based outfit could be hungry for revenge as they lost both games against Gokulam Kerala last season. The last time these two teams met, the match ended 1-0 in favour of the Malabarians, with Dennis Antwi converting from a spot-kick. In the encounter prior to the one mentioned, it was a high-scoring game (4-3) with seven goals scored by the two sides. Luckily, Gokulam Kerala won it late, courtesy of an own goal on the 75th minute mark from experienced defender Anwar Ali.

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