Hero Indian Super League

A day prior to the conclusion of the Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020 and with just one round of matches to go, the final round of tests for Covid-19 have already been completed by the All India Football Federation. League CEO Mr. Sunando Dhar applauded the medical staff who have “helped in the smooth conduct of the tournament.” “Our top priority was always the safety of the players and officials who are involved in the tournament. The fact that we have had over 1,200 tests

The Hero I-League 2019-20 trophy was handed over to the champions Mohun Bagan at a city hotel in Kolkata today (October 18, 2020). Shri Aroop Biswas, Minister of Public Works and Youth Services & Sports of West Bengal; Mr Sunando Dhar, CEO, Leagues, All India Football Federation; Mr Jaydeep Mukherjee, General Secretary, Indian Football Association (IFA) were present alongside Mohun Bagan officials and players. Sunando Dhar highlighted that the Mariners played the “best brand of football” to conquer the Hero I-League in 2019-20

KOLKATA: On Friday (October 17, 2020), Kolkata giants Mohammedan Sporting Club marked their return to the Hero I-League for the first time since the 2013-14 season and according to club legend Moidul Islam, the achievement is a ‘monumental’ one. “It’s definitely a monumental achievement for Mohammedan Sporting to win the Hero I-League Qualifiers. The club has so many fans all across the country that it is really right up there at the top in terms of fan support,” Islam told www.the-aiff.com. Moidul Islam, who along

Bhubaneswar; 17th October 2020: The Indian contingent of Odisha FC started training in groups adhering to all the health and safety norms laid out by the League on Saturday. The players under the guidance of Indian Assistant Coach and former international midfielder Mr. Steven Dias started training at their designated training pitch at Betalbatim, Goa. Meanwhile, the foreign players have also started arriving at the team hotel. Experienced Defender Steven Taylor and forward Diego Mauricio have already checked in earlier while Hero ISL

Garhwal FC looked set to sign off their Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020 campaign with a win but ended up having to share points with ARA FC despite the team from Gujarat missing a first-half penalty. Defender Neeraj Bhandari gave his team an early lead but a late penalty from Surajit Seal saw both teams walk off the field at the Kalyani Stadium with honours even on Friday (October 16th, 2020). Garhwal made three changes to the starting line-up from the previous game, chief

The Spanish defender is ready to deal with the new challenges. FC Goa’s new man at the back Ivan Gonzalez, is thrilled to have finally landed in Goa and can’t wait to start preparations as the Gaurs look to defend their ISL League Winners’ Shield.  “Finally, we are here. It has been a long wait,” remarked the defender whilst in quarantine. “We are happy to be in India and start the preseason.  “Preseason will be crucial this season. I am looking forward to

As we head into the fourth matchday of the Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020, two old foes prepare to face off in a game that could very well decide who will take their place in the Hero I-League 2020-21 season. Bhawanipore FC are all set to cross swords against Mohammedan SC, in what will be billed as the Kolkata Derby of the Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020. The match is set to kick-off at 4.30 PM IST at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium on Friday, October

Highlanders assistant coach Jamil test positive undergoing treatment in Goa hospital Indian Super League side NorthEast United's assistant coach Khalid Jamil tested positive for coronavirus and is currently undergoing treatment for the same in a hospital in Goa, the club announced on Thursday. Jamil arrived in Goa along with along with a few players to begin the club's pre-season just like all the other ISL clubs. After keeping the positive test under wraps for more than a week the Highlanders have finally announced

Inside the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kolkata situated right beside the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan complex, certain guests are left perplexed as to the reason why a series of sections are cordoned off by queue-managers and security guards. A family of four unknowingly approaches one of the elevators that is cordoned off with a placard placed in front of it mentioning: ‘For Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020 Personnel Only.’ They are instantly stopped by one of these security guards, who ushers them to yet

Two-time Indian Super League (ISL) champions Chennaiyin FC have completed the signing of Fatkhulo Fatkhulloev on a free transfer for the 2020-21 season. The 30-year-old winger who can operate on either flank, is all set for a first stint in India with tons of experience. Fatkhulloev is central Asian country Tajikistan’s most-capped international with 68 senior appearances so far, and he joins CFC after a spell at FK Khujand in the Tajik top flight. The ISL guidelines for the new season stipulate each

Kalyani, October 14, 2020: Gujarat-based ARA FC and FC Bengaluru United played out a pulsating 1-1 draw in the Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020 at the Kalyani Stadium on Wednesday (October 14, 2020). It seemed that forward Pratik Swami’s strike would prove to be the difference between the two sides but substitute Asrar Rehber successfully converted from the spot with the game’s last kick to rescue a point for Bengaluru United. Both teams came into the match on the back of contrasting results, with Bengaluru

KOLKATA: The ‘new normal’ of football has set in with the Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020. Following the strict COVID safety guidelines, those operating in and around the tournament have already conducted four successful matches, two each in Kolkata and Kalyani respectively. While all the five teams – Garhwal FC, ARA FC, Bhawanipore FC, Mohammedan SC and FC Bengaluru United – have made their own adjustments to adapt to the new rules and regulations for their own safety, there is yet another team that is

The new season of the ISL is well and truly upon us and this week saw the arrival of FC Goa’s Spanish contingent. Head Coach Juan Ferrando was accompanied by Strength and Conditioning Coach Javier Gonzalez along with 5 players – Edu Bedia, Igor Angulo, Jorge Ortiz, Ivan Gonzalez and Alberto Noguera. The Spaniards will now head into a 14-day quarantine as per protocols. The Indian contingent will meanwhile continue to practice under the watchful eyes of Assistant Coach Clifford Miranda with Juan

Bhawanipore FC head coach Sankarlal Chakraborty lauded Garhwal FC, who are at the bottom of the Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020, as the “fittest” team in the competition, as he erred on the side of caution on the eve of the clash between the two sides at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Stadium in Wednesday, October 14 in Kolkata. The match between Garhwal FC and Bhawanipore FC is all set to kick off at 12.30 PM IST on Wednesday. Garhwal FC currently sit at the

KOLKATA: Amidst India’s first sporting tournament post the COVID-19 Lockdown -- the Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020, the nation awoke to a tragic piece of news on Monday (October 12, 2020) as former Indian National Team captain Carlton Chapman had passed away. The former midfielder used to operate in the centre of the park for the Blue Tigers in the late 1990s and the early 2000s and had even donned the captain’s armband, leading icons like IM Vijayan and Bhaichung Bhutia on the pitch. “He

KOLKATA: It was a kind of a shocker to all in Bhawanipore FC when the news of former Head Coach of the Club Carlton Chapman came in. “He was a very near and dear person to us all at Bhawanipore. Carlton was with me at the Tata Football Academy, and went on to play for India. He had even been a coach at this club, and was quite close to me personally,” said Sankarlal. “We were devastated to hear that he had passed away

NEW DELHI: Joydeep Mukherjee, Secretary, Indian Football Association, who has been leading the LOC (Local Organising Committee) in the ongoing Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020 – the first live sporting event in India post the COVID pandemic lockdown – feels “it’s not over till it’s over.” In a freewheeling interview, Mukherjee speaks at length about what prompted him to accept the challenge of hosting the tournament, the unique challenges under the ‘new normal,’ the sanitising procedure, the learnings, and much more. EXCERPTS:  You have been closely

In a bid to develop football from the grassroots in Odisha, Bhubaneswar-based Hero Indian Super League (ISL) club Odisha FC conducted a webinar for budding coaches and players. In this webinar titled "Principles of Attack and Defense in Football", club's Grassroots Coaches Mr. Mahabir Nath and Mr. Aiswaryan Pillai shared their experience and spoke to the participants regarding various skills and techniques involved in the sport. Explaining more about the webinar, Mr. Nath said, "In last season, we had many programs with coaches