CHENNAI: The Chennaiyin FC-Mumbai City FC fixture at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Saturday will go down in Indian Super League (ISL) history as the competition unlocked the 1,000-match milestone. The ISL, launched in 2014 with eight clubs, is the country’s top-tier men’s league and is into its 11th season comprising 13 teams.
The league has helped Indian players rub shoulders with quality foreigners – while ‘marquee’ signings, including World Cuppers, made their presence felt in the early editions, younger overseas recruits have set the stage on fire in recent seasons. With a continental spot on offer in the ISL, the clubs are ambitious and the level of professionalism is increasing.
Chennaiyin left-back Mandar Rao Dessai , who can be considered as ‘Mr ISL’ having played every season, is delighted to be part of the journey. “I am very happy to be involved in the 1,000th game because I have been here from the start. It is great to be part of this competition for so many years,” Mandar said ahead of CFC’s clash against Mumbai.
“I played with big names like Andre Santos, Robert Pires and Lucio (at his former club FC Goa) when they came to the ISL in the first two years. We had great coaches like Zico (also at Goa). I have learnt a lot of things from them on and off the pitch,” added the 32-year-old Mandar, an ISL Shield winner with both Goa and Mumbai.
According to Mandar, the level of football in India has grown over the years but there is room for “a lot of improvement”. Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle, who has worked in five of the 11 ISL seasons, concurred, saying: “It is remarkable how far we have come, but it takes time to build things. The league is earning its way and getting better.”
Many Indian players have shone in the ISL but have struggled to cope with the demands of international football after earning call-ups – the national team has disappointed in key tournaments, including the Asian Cup and the World Cup qualifiers.
“One thing for me is the development of the Indian players. Growing and developing young Indian players is part of the ISL. We are taking huge steps in terms of organisation. I have been all over the world. The surfaces here… the stadiums are really good. The fans get behind their teams. There are a lot of good things happening in the ISL,” Coyle added.
Coyle urges organisers to introduce VAR
Coyle urged the organisers to introduce Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which will help minimise errors. “A big addition that we need is VAR for two reasons – to help the referees and get things right. We need to get the Key Match Incidents (KMI) right. I am all for VAR. It will take an extra minute to make a decision, but there will be a far higher percentage of correct decisions. What you do not want is playing well in a game but losing because of a decision (wrong one). That is one thing we can get better at,” said Coyle.
The league has helped Indian players rub shoulders with quality foreigners – while ‘marquee’ signings, including World Cuppers, made their presence felt in the early editions, younger overseas recruits have set the stage on fire in recent seasons. With a continental spot on offer in the ISL, the clubs are ambitious and the level of professionalism is increasing.
Chennaiyin left-back Mandar Rao Dessai , who can be considered as ‘Mr ISL’ having played every season, is delighted to be part of the journey. “I am very happy to be involved in the 1,000th game because I have been here from the start. It is great to be part of this competition for so many years,” Mandar said ahead of CFC’s clash against Mumbai.
“I played with big names like Andre Santos, Robert Pires and Lucio (at his former club FC Goa) when they came to the ISL in the first two years. We had great coaches like Zico (also at Goa). I have learnt a lot of things from them on and off the pitch,” added the 32-year-old Mandar, an ISL Shield winner with both Goa and Mumbai.
According to Mandar, the level of football in India has grown over the years but there is room for “a lot of improvement”. Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle, who has worked in five of the 11 ISL seasons, concurred, saying: “It is remarkable how far we have come, but it takes time to build things. The league is earning its way and getting better.”
Many Indian players have shone in the ISL but have struggled to cope with the demands of international football after earning call-ups – the national team has disappointed in key tournaments, including the Asian Cup and the World Cup qualifiers.
“One thing for me is the development of the Indian players. Growing and developing young Indian players is part of the ISL. We are taking huge steps in terms of organisation. I have been all over the world. The surfaces here… the stadiums are really good. The fans get behind their teams. There are a lot of good things happening in the ISL,” Coyle added.
Coyle urges organisers to introduce VAR
Coyle urged the organisers to introduce Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which will help minimise errors. “A big addition that we need is VAR for two reasons – to help the referees and get things right. We need to get the Key Match Incidents (KMI) right. I am all for VAR. It will take an extra minute to make a decision, but there will be a far higher percentage of correct decisions. What you do not want is playing well in a game but losing because of a decision (wrong one). That is one thing we can get better at,” said Coyle.
You may also like
Mikel Arteta may axe struggling star after Arsenal boss' actions spotted vs Chelsea
Travel tips: Visit these places for just five thousand rupees, plan to travel in November
UP: Devotees celebrate 'Tulsi Vivah' at Balua Ghat in Prayagraj, marking sacred union of Lord Vishnu, Vrinda
Kevin Feige Says MCU Still 'Committed' To Blade With Mahershala Ali
Suman Indori: Python Spotted On Set Of Ashnoor Kaur's Show, Zain Imam Gets Nostalgic
