Everything you need to know about Indian Super League 2021-22

The brand-new edition of the top-flight league in India is set to begin on November 19.

Only three days remain till we see the ball rolling in the 2021-22 season of the Indian Super League (ISL)! The previous edition saw a new champion in the form of Mumbai City. The Islanders created history after winning both the ISL title and the League Winners’ Shield. The edition also witnessed the historical clubs from Kolkata, SC East Bengal and ATK Mohun Bagan entering the prestigious tournament and adding glamour to it.

NorthEast United ultimately emerged successful in getting past clubs like Jamshedpur FC and Hyderabad FC and earning themselves a spot in the playoffs under head coach Khalid Jamil. Bengaluru FC, a very consistent side since their birth, went through a tough time and Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters failed to live up to expectations.

But, now it's time to put all of that behind, as a brand new season beckons us. On that note, here's Khel Now taking you through the basics of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 season.

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About the League

The ISL made its way into the Indian football vertical in 2014. The league has successfully completed a journey of seven seasons to-date. In the process, Indian football fans have witnessed the Kolkata franchise, ATK lifting the trophy thrice, Chennaiyin FC winning twice and Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City FC emerging victorious once each.

The league has seen several legendary figures getting involved in it. Zico, who coached the Goan outfit FC Goa from 2014 till 2016, Marco Materazzi and David James, performing the role of a player-cum-manager, Robert Pires, Luis Garcia, Alessandro Del Piero, Josemi, Florent Malouda, Didier Zokora, John Arne Riise and Dimitar Berbatov are a few names that quickly come to mind. In its journey, the tournament has seen an increase in the number of teams from eight to eleven, with clubs like Hyderabad FC, Jamshedpur FC, ATK Mohun Bagan and SC East Bengal setting their foot in the league. The FC Pune City franchise has been dissolved and Delhi Dynamos have changed their identity and are now playing as Odisha FC.

Since the previous edition, the league is being played behind-closed-doors in Goa with no fans allowed in the stadium. The teams have also been constrained to a bio-secured bubble with the COVID-19 pandemic prevalent in the country

Teams Participating

Mumbai City FC

The Islanders bagged both the ISL Trophy and the League Winners’ Shield last season. This was after the City Football Group (CFG) bought 65% stakes in the club in November 2019. In the ISL 2021-22 season they witness a new managerial appointment in the form of Des Buckingham replacing Sergio Lobera. The core of their squad has almost remained the same with a few changes here and there. Looking at their tentative squad, it may be said that Mumbai City FC have cleared their intentions of defending the silverware; no team is the history of this league has ever managed to do it to-date.

Tentative Squad

Goalkeepers: Mohammad Nawaz, Phurba Lachenpa, Vikram Lakhbir Singh.Defenders: Amey Ranawade, Valpuia Hmingthanmawia, Huidrom Naocha Singh, Mandar Rao Dessai, Mehtab Singh, Mohamad Rakip, Rahul Bheke, Mourtada Fall, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy.Midfielders: Ahmed Jahouh, Cassio Gabriel, Bradden Inman, Lalengmawia ‘Apuia’ Ralte, Raynier Fernandes, Rowllin Borges, Tondonba Singh, Asif Khan, Chanso Horam.Forwards: Igor Angulo, Bipin Singh, Gurkirat Singh, Vikram Partap Singh, Pranjal Bhumij, Ygor Catatau.

ATK Mohun Bagan FC

ATK Mohun Bagan finished in the second position last season. They shared equal points with the league winners Mumbai City FC (40) but unfortunately the Mariners missed out the top spot on goal difference. This season they added the likes of Liston Colaco, Hugo Boumous and Amrinder Singh from Hyderabad FC and Mumbai City FC and have signed Finnish footballer Jony Kauko, who joined the Mariners after plying his trade in the Euro Cup 2020r It is fair to add that ATK Mohun Bagan have a trophy hunter coach like Antonio Lopez Habas, who is expected to tactfully bring out the best from the footballers and bag the much needed silverware this time in the ISL 2021-22 season.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Avilash Paul, Amrinder Singh, Arsh Anwer Shaikh.Defence: Ashutosh Mehta, Gursimrat Singh Gill, Sumit Rathi, Prabir Das, Pritam Kotal, Subhasish Bose, Tiri, Ravi Rana, Ricky Shabong.Midfield: Bidyananda Singh, Carl McHugh, Hugo Boumous, Joni Kauko, Lenny Rodrigues, Ningombam Engson Singh, SK Sahil, AbhishekSuryavanshi, Deepak Tangri, Michael Soosairaj.Forwards: Roy Krishna, Manvir Singh, David Williams, Liston Colaco, Kiyan Nassiri.

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NorthEast United FC

The Indian Super League will for the first ever time witness an Indian head coach taking the dugout as Khalid Jamil will be guiding the Highlanders. Under his tutelage, the Highlanders remained unbeaten for 11 consecutive matches till their loss against ATK Mohun Bagan in the semi-finals. NorthEast United FC have included some new foreigners in the squad, namely, Hernan Santana, Mathias Coureur and Patrick Flottmann, who have strengthened their squad further. With speed, youth and experience in his hands, Jamil is expected to aim high this time as well.

Tentative Squad

Goalkeepers: Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, Sanjiban Ghosh, Mirshad Michu, Nikhil Deka.Defenders: Gurjinder Kumar, Jestin George, Mashoor Shereef, Mohamed Irshad, Nabin Rabha, Tondomba Singh, Provat Lakra, Patrick Flottmann.Midfielders: Federico Gallego, Emanuel Lalchhanchhuaha, Gani Nigam, Hernan Santana, Imran Khan, Joe Zoherliana, Khassa Camara, Pragyan Gogoi, Sehnaj Singh, Pragyan Medhi.Forwards: Deshorn Brown, Laldanmawia Ralte, Manvir Singh, Lalkhawpuimawia, Mathias Coureur, Rochharzela, Suhair Vadakkepeedika, William Lalnunfela.

FC Goa

The Gaurs have been one of the most consistent teams in the ISL. They have been qualifying for the playoffs for the last four seasons and are the inaugural winner of the League Winners’ Shield. Last season their performance under head coach Juan Ferrando was applaudable. They made it into the playoffs only to be disqualified by Mumbai City FC in the tiebreaker in the second leg. They have played some good football in the AFC Champions League. The Gaurs have also already bagged their first silverware of this season (Durand Cup). Undoubtedly, FC Goa will be one of the favourites to lift the ISL 2021-22 Trophy, keeping in mind they have hardly made any changes to their previous season’s squad.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Naveen Kumar, Hrithik Tiwari, Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem.Defenders: Leander D'Cunha, Saviour Gama, Sanson Pereira, Dylan Fox, Lalmangaihsanga (Papuia), Seriton Fernandes, Ivan Gonzalez, Aibanbha Dohling, Mohamed Ali.Midfielders: Edu Bedia, Muhammed Nemil, Alberto Noguera, Princeton Rebello, Danstan Fernandes, Alexander Romario Jesuraj, Redeem Tlang, Nongdamba Naorem, Glan Martins, Brandon Fernandes, Makan Winkle Chote, Christy Davis, Flan Gomes.Forwards: Devendra Murgaonkar, Jorge Ortiz, Airam Cabrera.

Hyderabad FC

Under head coach Manuel Marquez Roca, Hyderabad FC played a scintillating brand of football and uplifted their previous season’s (2019-20) performance brilliantly. With just their second season in the league, the Nizams finished fifth in the table. They missed the chance to qualify for the playoffs by just two points. The Nizams relied mostly on their young guns last season, but this time out, they have brought in experienced ISL custodians, Juanan and Bartholomew Ogbeche from Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City FC, respectively. From 10th in 2019/20 to 5th in 2020/21, a question may arise - where will the Nizams finish their third ISL campaign? The deprivation from the playoffs last season will perhaps act as the motivation for the Nizams to go all guns blazing this season.

Squad

Goalkeepers:  Laxmikant Kattimani, Gurmeet Singh, Lalbiakhlua Jongte.Defenders:  Chinglensana Singh, Juanan, Akash Mishra, Asish Rai, Nikhil Prabhu, Nim Dorjee, Pritam Singh.Midfielders: Abdul Rabeeh A K, Sahil Tavora, Edu Garcia, Halicharan Narzary, Hitesh Sharma, Joao Victor, Mark Zothanpuia, Mohammed Yasir, Nikhil Poojary, Souvik Chakrabarti.Forwards: Aaren D’Silva, Aniket Jadhav, Bartholomew Ogbeche, Javier Siverio, Joel Chianese, Rohit Danu.

Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur FC ended the seventh edition of the ISL on the 6th position. The Men of Steel have bagged footballers like Jordan Murray, Greg Stewart, Eli Sabia, Ishan Pandita and Pronay Halder to bolster their squad. They have also performed pretty well in the pre-season friendlies. Under their head coach, Owen Coyle it is believed that Jamshedpur FC have got the pedigree to make it to the ISL 2021-22 playoffs.

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Squad

Goalkeepers: Pawan Kumar, Vishal Yadav, Rehenesh TP.Defenders: Boris Singh Thangjam, PC Laldinpuia, Narender Gahlot, Peter Hartley, Ricky Lallawmawma, Laldinliana Renthlei, Karan Amin, Sandip Mandi, Eli Sabia, Anas Edathodika.Midfielders: Jitendra Singh, Seiminlen Doungel, Pronay Halder, Alex Lima, Mobashir Rahman, Ritwik Das, Greg Stewart.Forwards: Nerijus Valskis, Jordan Murray, Komal Thatal, Farukh Choudhary, Ishan Pandita.

Bengaluru FC

Bengaluru FC’s campaign last season wasn’t delighting as the club managed to secure the seventh position. They also parted ways with head coach Carles Cuadrat during the season and won just five matches in the league. They are a club who have the habit of tasting success regularly. This season under, their new gaffer Marco Pezzaiuoli, they would be determined to turn the tables in their favour.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Lara Sharma, Sharon Padattil.Defenders: Alan Costa, Yrondu Musavu-King, Pratik Chaudhari, Sarthak Golui, Parag Shrivas, Ajith Kumar, Wungngayam Muirang.Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam, Iman Basafa, Bruno Ramires, Ajay Chhetri, Ashique Kuruniyan, Namgyal Bhutia, Naorem Roshan Singh, Biswa Darjee, Damaitphang Lyngdoh, Akashdeep Singh, Rohit Kumar, Jayesh Rane, Danish Farooq.Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Edmund Lalrindika, Udanta Singh, Cleiton Silva, Leon Augustine, Sivasakthi Narayanan, Prince Ibarra, Bidyashagar Singh, Harmanpreet Singh.

Chennaiyin FC

The two-time champions Chennaiyin FC failed to live up to their expectations last season. They finished eighth in the points table with just three wins to their name. They then parted ways with head coach Csaba Laszlo and roped in Bozidar Bandovic as his replacement. The club has also worked its ways in the transfer window and has brought in some fantastic foreigners. Bandovic’s track record at Buriram United is evidence enough that he has that capability to win trophies. Thus, under their new head coach, Chennaiyin FC will be hopeful of lifting the Trophy for the third time.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Vishal Kaith, Samik Mitra, Debjit Majumder, Devansh Dabas.Defenders: Reagan Singh, Salam Ranjan Singh, Edwin Sydney Vanspaul, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Narayan Das, Deepak Devrani, Davinder Singh, Slavko Damjanovic, Balaji Ganesan.Midfielders: Ninthoi Meetei, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rafael Crivellaro, Ariel Borysiuk, Anirudh Thapa, Germanpreet Singh, Aman Chetri, Melroy Assisi, Subhadip Majhi.Forwards: Johnson Mathews, Rahim Ali, Jobby Justin, Mirlan Murzaev, Suhail Pasha, Vladimir Koman, Lukasz Gikiewicz.

SC East Bengal

The seventh edition of the Indian Super League saw Kolkata Giant SC East Bengal making their way to the league. The season however, was one, the fans will try to forget. The team only won 3 of their 20 matches and ended their campaign with a humiliating defeat against Odisha FC (6-5). This season, the Red and Golds have built comparatively a better side than last season. They have brought in former Real Madrid Castilla manager Manolo Diaz. With a new team and a new boss on board, the fans will be expecting a better performance from the side, if not a place in the playoffs. But in terms of the quality they possess both in terms of foreigners and Indians, SC East Bengal can’t be ruled out as a contender for the ISL 2021-22 top-four.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Arindam Bhattacharya, Sankar Roy, Suvam Sen.Defenders: Daniel Gomes, Joyner Lourenco, Raju Gaikwad, Adil Khan, Hira Mondal, Ankit Mukherjee, Goutam Singh, Tomislav Mrcela, Franjo Prce, Sarineo Fernandes, Akashdeep Singh.Midfielders: Jackichand Singh, Sourav Das, Angousana Wahengbam, Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Md Rafique, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Bikash Jairu, Amir Dervisevic, Darren Sidoel, Romeo Fernandes, Songpu Singsit, Loken Metei.Forwards: Balwant Singh, Thongkhosiem Haokip, Naorem Mahesh, Siddhant Shirodkar, Daniel Chima Chukwu, Antonio Perosevic, Subha Ghosh.

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Kerala Blasters FC

Kerala Blasters FC will be aiming for a better finish this season; they finished tenth last season. They parted ways with their head coach Kibu Vicuna in the middle of their campaign. Ivan Vukomanovic is his replacement this time around. The club participated in the Durand Cup but their performance lacked the credibility expected by the fans. With players like Adrian Luna, Enes Sipovic, Alvaro Vasquez and Jeakson Singh under his belt, Vukomanovic will perhaps give his best to improve the side this season. A bonus shall be a place in the top four. 

Squad

Goalkeepers: Albino Gomes, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Muheet Shabir Khan, Sachin Suresh.Defenders: Nishu Kumar, Sandeep Singh, Marko Leskovic, Enes Sipovic, Abdul Hakku Nediyodeth, Ruivah Hormipam, Bijoy Varghese, Jessel Carneiro, Denechandra Meitei, Sanjeev Stalin.Midfielders: Rahul KP, Prasanth Karuthadathkuni, Adrian Luna, Jeakson Singh, Harmanjot Khabra, Lalthathanga ‘Puitea’ Khawlhring, Givson Singh, Ayush Adhikari, Sahal Abdul Samad.Forwards: Alvaro Vazquez, Jorge Pereira Diaz, Chencho Gyeltshen, Seityasen Singh, Vincy Barretto.

Odisha FC

Odisha FC made a bottom placed finish last season. But this time, they are expected to be a completely different squad. Apart from changes in the team, the off-the-field changes too, have been mind-boggling. Appointing Raj Athwal as the president in January and getting David Villa associated as the head of Global Football Operations in May, are expected to be two very crucial introductions from the club’s point of view. Apart from this, like many other ISL clubs, they too have a new manager on board in the form of Francisco “Kiko” Ramirez Gonzalez. The Juggernauts will surely be aiming for a charming and delightful season ahead.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Kamaljit Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Kumar.Defenders: Gaurav Bora, Lalruathara, Sahil Panwar, Hendry Antonay, Lalhrezuala Sailung, Sebastian Thangmuansang, Deven Sawhney, Victor Mongil, Hector RodasMidfielders: Thoiba Singh Moirangthem, Vinit Rai, Paul Ramfangzauva, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Isak Vanlalruatfela, Liridon Krasniqi, Javi Hernandez, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Nandhakumar Sekar, CVL Remtluanga, Nikhil Raj.Strikers: Akshunna Tyagi, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Aridai Cabrera, Jonathas de Jesus.

Venues

The matches of the Indian Super League 2021-22 season will be played behind closed doors in Goa, exactly like the previous season. The 11 teams will play their respective matches in three stadiums, namely, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Athletic Stadium in Bambolim and Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco.

Fixtures

Click here to catch all the fixtures of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22.

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Prize Money

ISL Trophy (Winner of the Final): ₹6 Crores

League Winners’ Shield (Table Topper): ₹3.5 Crores

Runners-up: ₹3 Crores

Other two Semi-finalists: ₹1.5 Crores each

Telecast

Each of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 matches will be telecasted on the Star Sports Network. Live stream will available on the Disney+Hotstar platform and the JioTV app.

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