Return of fans to the stadium has been the cherry on cake for this season of ISL (Indian Super League) of Football 2022-23. Bio-bubble games are over, now the home and away format games are reinforced. No more empty stands for players and there will be full noise after a goal is made as now the fans can shout at their maximum volume to cheer their favourite players on field – physically in action.
All matches are spread out across the country, with a game plan of 4 days a week, ie: Thursday to Sunday and dual games on Saturdays. The ISL has ditched the one match per day principle of IPL, the counterpart Cricket league in India. This is an important step to cope up with both physical and mental fatigue for the players. If one is a regular follower of 888sport review, he or she would understand the importance of the fitness of the key players ahead of the important matches, as the bookies have high hopes and stakes on them.
The 4 days game a week has made the ISL tournament 5 months long, featuring 117 matches, in 10 venues across the length and breadth of India. Each club will play 20 league matches, 10 at home and 10 away.
The final league was played on Sunday, February 26, 2023 between Kerala Blasters vs Hyderabad FC at 7:30 PM in Kochi. Tentatively in March 1st week, the single legged eliminators, and double legged semi-finals at home and away are to be played.
- Eliminator 1: 3rd placed team vs 6th placed team
Eliminator 2: 4th placed team vs 5th placed team - Semi-Final 1 1st Leg: 1st placed team vs (Winner – Eliminator 2)
Semi-Final 2 1st Leg: 2nd placed team vs (Winner – Eliminator 1) - Semi-Final 1 2nd Leg: (Winner – Eliminator 2) vs 1st placed team
Semi-Final 2 2nd Leg: (Winner – Eliminator 1) vs 2nd placed team - Final: (Winner Semi-Final 1) vs (Winner Semi-Final 2)
ATK Mohan Bagan, Mumbai City, Bangalore FC, Hyderabad and Chennaiyin have amassed envious team and in case Indian Super League is played on the papers, as on today, these teams can be said favourites for the Semi Finals, if not at least for the Eliminator rounds. Except ATK Mohun Bagan, rest of the said 4 clubs are unbeaten so far in the tournament.
Kochi was in shock due to Dimitri Petratos scoring the current season’s 1st hat-trick, as it helped Mohan Bagan to register a 5-2 win against the Kerala Blasters in their own backyard. MBATK’s undefeated streak against the Blasters continues.
Mumbai Cities 2-0 win against the Odisha FC with help of Shubam Sarangi and Bipin Singh scoring a goal each. Currently Mumbai stands with 5 goals in 2 matches.
Bengaluru FC has managed to score 2 goals in its 2 games. However the promising captain Sunil Chhetri who is also the 1st to score 50 ISL goals, carries high hopes of both fans and bookies.
Hyderabad FC scored 6 goals in 2 matches, with the help of its two midfielders Joao Victor and Halicharan Narzary, who managed to score 2 goals each and Goalkeeper Laxmikant looked very promising with his 6 saves for Hyderabad.
Chennaiyin with help of Kwame Karikari, Prashant K and Rahim Ali scoring 1 goal each has managed 3 goals in 2 matches. Debjit Majumder has proved himself a safe goalie with 6 saves. Though these are early trends, these teams have that required potential.