What the opening games of the 2017-18 season showed us is that it is at the I-League stage that the true following and future of Indian football will be built. The opening round of matches was the perfect advertisement for lower-league football. The categorisation of the I-League as “lower-league football” is not meant to be offensive to the clubs, players and coaches involved.
Year on year the standard of football has been on the upswing. But, when you consider this as a TV product that is competing with every international league in the world, what other categorisation can you possibly make? The ISL is also lower-league football, but with a whole bunch of pretentiousness. The difference between the two is simple. The former is played between real clubs, with real members, real fans and real histories. The latter, with the exception of Bengaluru FC (and perhaps Jamshedpur in years to come), is an IPL knock-off played between corporate franchises given out to the highest bidder.
The second point is that lower league football, all over the world, is often a lot more fun than the top flight. The atmosphere at these games is more relaxed, there is less tamasha and hype and the clubs with good support are generally those that engage with their local communities actively. Having watched games at all I-League venues, with the exception of Coimbatore, this correspondent firmly believes that an evening spent at any of them will not be a disappointment. For the clubs, this season’s I-League presents a final opportunity to establish a firm connection with a fanbase. Their future depends on it.
The prospect is mouth-watering. Three months of scrappy, down and dirty football—away from the superimposed drama and constant scrutiny that the ISL is built on—gives football fans in India an opportunity to connect, at a real level, with what is happening in our sport. The relative absence of the multiple layers of PR and marketing is what makes lower league football an attractive prospect for the fans. It gives us a chance to engage with and build our understanding of the sport, the clubs and most importantly, the players. Add to that the prospect of good goals, plenty of upsets and close finishes and you have the makings of superbly engaging season of football. Coming up this Sunday--East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan—one of the most passionately contested derbies in the world. Time to get hooked.
Wow, such bullshit being put out in disguise of being a traditionalist in football. Watching the I-League is nice and I like seeing Indian players making an impact but it has been just as bad as ISL in terms of viewing so far.
Having watched games at all I-League venues, with the exception of
Coimbatore, this correspondent firmly believes that an evening spent at
any of them will not be a disappointment.
Just posted it to provoke some reactions...I knew you would be one of the first to comment and I knew what line it would take...cheers! Viewing yes but I think in terms of competitiveness the I-League has been better than the ISL so far...teams like ATK, JFC and KBFC have been horrible so far
@EastBengalPride: Rafique needs to be replaced, no doubt about that...I think Lobo must have acquired match fitness by now...he should be given a chance...but knowing Jamil I think he will start with the same starting eleven as the Aizawl match...he might bring in others only as substitutes
Some drawbacks should also be mentioned. Schedule of I-League matches is not ideal. They should be played on Saturday and sunday only. This is AIFF fault.
Comments
What the opening games of the 2017-18 season showed us is that it is at the I-League stage that the true following and future of Indian football will be built. The opening round of matches was the perfect advertisement for lower-league football. The categorisation of the I-League as “lower-league football” is not meant to be offensive to the clubs, players and coaches involved.
Year on year the standard of football has been on the upswing. But, when you consider this as a TV product that is competing with every international league in the world, what other categorisation can you possibly make? The ISL is also lower-league football, but with a whole bunch of pretentiousness. The difference between the two is simple. The former is played between real clubs, with real members, real fans and real histories. The latter, with the exception of Bengaluru FC (and perhaps Jamshedpur in years to come), is an IPL knock-off played between corporate franchises given out to the highest bidder.
The second point is that lower league football, all over the world, is often a lot more fun than the top flight. The atmosphere at these games is more relaxed, there is less tamasha and hype and the clubs with good support are generally those that engage with their local communities actively. Having watched games at all I-League venues, with the exception of Coimbatore, this correspondent firmly believes that an evening spent at any of them will not be a disappointment. For the clubs, this season’s I-League presents a final opportunity to establish a firm connection with a fanbase. Their future depends on it.
The prospect is mouth-watering. Three months of scrappy, down and dirty football—away from the superimposed drama and constant scrutiny that the ISL is built on—gives football fans in India an opportunity to connect, at a real level, with what is happening in our sport. The relative absence of the multiple layers of PR and marketing is what makes lower league football an attractive prospect for the fans. It gives us a chance to engage with and build our understanding of the sport, the clubs and most importantly, the players. Add to that the prospect of good goals, plenty of upsets and close finishes and you have the makings of superbly engaging season of football. Coming up this Sunday--East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan—one of the most passionately contested derbies in the world. Time to get hooked.
He has even watched Gokulam, Neroca ???
Viewing yes but I think in terms of competitiveness the I-League has been better than the ISL so far...teams like ATK, JFC and KBFC have been horrible so far
Highlights of Shillong Lajong vs Churchill Brothers
Mirshad
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Bajjou
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Plaza