Encouraging start for I League as clubs register record attendance
The first round of the new Hero I-League 2018/19 season came to an end on Sunday (October 28, 2018) and witnessed five excellent matches, which saw a number of exciting moments that left fans on the edge of their seats.
While Minerva Punjab and Churchill Brothers played out a goalless draw, the remaining four games saw a total of 12 goals scored as Chennai City FC’s Pedro Manzi scored a hattrick on the opening day against the Indian Arrows while East Bengal’s Mexican import Enrique Esqueda and Shillong Lajong’s 19-year-old debutant Naorem Mahesh Singh registered a brace apiece.
However, the most heartening numbers from the three days were the attendance figures, as the five home venues – the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in Coimbatore, Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal, EMS Stadium in Kozhikode, Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Chandigarh and Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, all saw impressive turnouts.
The season opener in Tamil Nadu on Friday saw an audience of 8,262 as the hosts Chennai City FC hosted the youngsters from the Arrows, with the match ending 4-1 in favour of the home side. Saturday saw robust numbers as well as the match between NEROCA FC and East Bengal, which finished in a 2-0 win for the Red and Golds, saw 26,412 fans throng the stands, which became a virtual sea of orange.
The other match of the day saw the highest attendance among the five fixtures as 28,437 fans witnessed hosts Gokulam Kerala FC play out a scintillating 1-1 draw against the Calcutta Football League champions Mohun Bagan. The figure was also the maximum so far for a Gokulam home match in the I-League, which is a highly encouraging sign.
First da positives 4m our season opener @ILeagueOfficial @minervapunjabfc 1.The largest turn out in the 3 year history of minerva punjab fc in Ludhiana / Chandigarh or Panchkula (2nd div incld)- so thank you soooo much Panchkula and Chandigarh #chakdittephatte 8591😍👏🏽2 pm match
— Ranjit Bajaj (@THE_RanjitBajaj) October 28, 2018
The final match, a NorthEast derby played in Meghalaya, featured 14,697 fans who saw Shillong Lajong record a memorable 2-1 win against Aizawl FC. Naorem Mahesh Singh, the hero of the match for Alison Kharsyntiew’s men, was quoted as saying, “Our fans are the best! They cheered for us throughout the match and that gave us more confidence to play to the best of our abilities.”
Incidentally, apart from Coimbatore, every other venue which hosted a game in the first game week of Hero I-League 2018-19 has seen a significant rise in the footfall. Defending Champions Minerva Punjab FC’s first match in the previous season was attended by 5,995 Minervans at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula. On the other hand, Kozhikode (25,841), Imphal (27,633), Shillong (6,989) has also witnessed fewer spectators in the first game week of the previous edition of the Hero I-League.
According to Mr. Sunando Dhar, CEO, I-League, the Hero I-League has seen an ‘encouraging’ start and he believes that every team will build on this. “It’s heartening to see an encouraging start to the Hero I-League this season. We have to congratulate the clubs for the marketing done by them. They have done a splendid work so far and I’m sure, every team will build on this to make this edition of Hero I-League another successful one.”
The second round of fixtures of the 2018/19 I-League gets underway on Wednesday and will see four clubs from the first week – NEROCA, Minerva Punjab, Shillong Lajong and Chennai City play hosts yet again. On Saturday, Mohun Bagan will play their first home match of the league campaign as they host Aizawl FC at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
I-League Round 1 Attendance:
Gokulam Kerala FC v Mohun Bagan – 28437
NEROCA FC vs Quess East Bengal FC – 26412
Shillong Lajong FC v Aizawl FC – 14697
Minerva Punjab FC v Churchill Brothers – 8591
Chennai City FC v Indian Arrows – 8262
Also Read: SAFF U15 Championship: Clinical India hammer four past Bhutan
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more updated on Mumbai & Indian Football
I-League 2: Mumbai Derby turns into a Survival Race Between MH Oranje FC and Kenkre FC.
The final matchday of the I-League 2 is set for an intense showdown as MH Oranje FC takes on Kenkre FC in the Mumbai derby. The match, scheduled for 27th…
Rahul Bheke: Players from the Reliance Foundation Development League are performing really well in the ISL
Mumbai, 26 April, 2024: Mumbai City FC captain Rahul Bheke has appreciated the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) for building a channel of players for Indian Super League (ISL) clubs…
Mohun Bagan Super Giant produce magnificent triumph to storm into second straight ISL final after 2-0 win against Odisha FC
Kolkata, April 28: Mohun Bagan Super Giant emerged triumphant against the Odisha FC by 2-0 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata tonight to win the second leg of their…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / MFA Super League
Redefining Mumbai Football: The unique approach of India On Track FC
In a football landscape where clubs often prioritize short-term success over long-term sustainability, India On Track FC (IOT FC) stands out as a beacon of dedication, unity, and unwavering commitment…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJ-GMSC Completes Unbeaten Season with Draw Against Millat FC
Kartik Strike in the first half seize’s MYJ-GMSC their unbeaten debut season in MFA Premier League In a high-octane Clash at the MFA Premier League, MYJ-GMSC faced off against Millat…
Mumbai City FC ease past FC Goa to set up blockbuster grand finale clash against ISL Champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Mumbai, April 29: Mumbai City FC set up a finals date with the Mohun Bagan Super Giant after defeating FC Goa by 2-0 in the second leg of their semi-final…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…