Get set for India’s premier football league as Chennai City FC host Indian Arrows in the 12th Hero I-League opener
The 2018-19 season of the Hero I-League gets underway on Friday, 26thOctober, 2018, with host Chennai City FC taking on AIFF’s development side Indian Arrows in the season opener
The Indian Arrows and Chennai City FC have faced each other twice thus far in a brief history last season and the young Arrows side have remain undefeated so far. In fact, back in November last year, the Arrows stunned Chennai City FC 3-0 and secured a draw in the reverse leg in January this year. Shepherd by Flyod Pinto these days, the Amarjeet Singh Kiyam led side would certainly be looking for similar positive results against their hosts on Friday.
Chennai City FC made their Hero I-League debut in the tenth edition of the Hero I-League. Their performance in the debut season was not much to write home about and in the last edition they failed to secure a place among the top four. However with a new coach in Singaporean Akbar Nawas at the helm this season and with some strong foreign signings, they will certainly look for a top table finish.
Captain Regin Michael, who will lead the side from the center of midfield sounded positive in a pre-match chat, saying, “ First of all as a local boy I am honoured to captain the side. Our coach is very good and I have never experienced such a talented coach in my career. We are learning new things from him every day and he treats all players equally. I hope we can play better football this season.”
Commenting on his Friday opponents, Regin said, “ I think they are a tough side. Most of them have played for the junior India national teams and their fitness levels are too good because they are youngsters. So we will try and find their weakness and try and attack.” The captain marked out Kabir, Vijay and Pravitto as players to watch out for.
The Coach Akbar however, sounded a word of caution saying, “We played two pre-season games and as such it is not sufficient to enter a league with only two training games. But it is what it is on that notion. As for the team, we have much to improve and it takes time to play the way we want to play so lets see what happens on Friday. “ Commenting on Indian football in general Akbar, who has coached in places like Philippines besides Singapore, sounded quite positive saying, “Indian football is right up there and has improved tremendously I must say.”
On the other hand, the team of youth, Indian Arrows, made their first appearance in the I-League last season.Indian Arrows are made up of the stars who featured at the FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted by India last year. The Hero I-League was an opportunity to test the youngsters, the future of Indian football, against senior professionals at the highest level and get crucial minutes under their belts, and how they have sailed through with flying colours, notching up as many as four wins in a memorable debut campaign. Players like Amarjeet, Abhijit Sarkar and the goalkeeper Prabhsukan Gill would be looking to impress National Coach Stephen Constantine’s scouts as the National side builds up to the AFC Asian Cup campaign.
The team’s talisman Jeakson Singh, who is the only Indian to score in a FIFA Word Cup, did not want to dwelve on past when reminded of their record against Chennai but oozed confidence saying, “ The past is past and it is gone. This is a new team for them and they are a strong team, but we are only going there to win and that is our only focus.”
Coach Pinto, who has given a good account of himself after taking over from Portuguese Luis Norton de Matos, said, “ It is obviously good to remember that we never lost to Chennai City last season but the flip side is that the team is different now and it will be interesting to see how they fare with new players and a new attack. We are also not shying away and will go every extra mile needed to better ourselves.”
Friday’s game will be the first of a total of 110 matches scheduled in the 12th Hero I-League edition, featuring a total of 11 teams representing 10 states across the country.
The 11 teams from 10 states of the 12th Hero I-League are – Defending Champions Minerva Punjab FC (Punjab), Aizawl FC (Mizoram), Neroca FC (Manipur), Shillong Lajong FC (Meghalaya), Mohun Bagan AC & Kingfihser East Bengal (West Bengal), Gokulam Kerala FC (Kerala), Churchill Brothers FC Goa (Goa), Indian Arrows (Odisha), Chennai City FC (Tamil Nadu), Real Kashmir FC (Jammu & Kashmir)
The I-League this year will be broadcast LIVE & Exclusive on the Star Sports 3 and their digital platform Hotstar along with Jio TV.
Also Read: AFC U19 Womens Championship qualifiers: India maul Pakistan 18-0
Also Read: India set to face Jordan for the first time ever in FIFA Friendly
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…
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…
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…
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…