Playoffs for promotion and for winner aren't the same thing... everyone is aware of it...
but gaining promotion by play-offs after finishing season in 6th position is as good as winning championship for promoted club.... example shared by red_devil makes sense....
League should be in league format. The semifinal and knockout format is ridiculous. But it is partly due to the league being a 8 team affair. If and when ISL is expanded to 14 or 16 teams, the current format will be gone for sure.
And so are the first place teams in ISL or A-League or even MLS. Finishing first helps you out and gives you an advantage (in case of ISL, it is playing the fourth place team). Maybe their could be more of an advantage, like finishing first allowing you to play at home for the final if you make it but only difference here is that it determines the winner whereas the championship one determines who is promoted. Same concept almost!
For a 10 team (assuming no hiccups with the merger) closed league it makes more sense to play in the current to determine the champion. Personally i would prefer a two legged final played in their own venues rather than in some predesignated venue. Once the league opens and expands then they could continue with the traditional format. This serves the dual purpose of league being more competitive and able to sustain the interests of fans especially from non traditional footballing place.
If we get to 12 teams and allow 6 teams into the final, that can be done with the 1st and 2nd place teams getting byes into the semi-finals and the 3rd to 6th place teams playing in a quick knock-out round. 1st place team would also get home advantage throughout the finals.
Keep in mind also, this is a league without promotion/relegation and which will probably be given 1 spot in the AFC Champions League (if any) and 2 in the AFC Cup (probably), the finals will be needed to make the season significant for teams and fans.
Comments
Playoffs for promotion and for winner aren't the same thing... everyone is aware of it...
but gaining promotion by play-offs after finishing season in 6th position is as good as winning championship for promoted club.... example shared by red_devil makes sense....
But nah, congrats, you won one over me. Your cookie is in the mail.
Something like, Team finished 1st should be placed in final directly and there should be play-off b/w 2nd & 3rd placed teams for chance in final...
Keep in mind also, this is a league without promotion/relegation and which will probably be given 1 spot in the AFC Champions League (if any) and 2 in the AFC Cup (probably), the finals will be needed to make the season significant for teams and fans.