The third Indian Super League season kicks off with organisers intent on turning it into a global brand. Former Atletico Madrid star Diego Forlan, Brazilian World Cup-winner Lucio and Champions League winner John Arne Riise are some of the stars of yesteryear turning out in the 11-week-long football tournament.

ISL is a franchise-based tournament whose club owners are largely Bollywood film stars and cricketers. It is one of two domestic leagues in India.

ISL Hindering The Development Of National Team

In the present football ecosystem in India, the ISL is battling its perception. It’s seen as nothing more than a spanner in the works. It sits over and above the official league (I-League) and often behaves like just a jamboree.

While the ISL is showing impressive attendances at games, the Indian national team continues to lurk in the doldrums. Its structure is such that for the third year running, India will not play any FIFA-recognised friendly matches for the duration of the League. Such matches are essential for the development of team.

Unlike leagues across the world that stretch over six to seven months, ISL is jam-packed and provides next to no time for player recovery. A road-map comprising a three-tier structure has been suggested starting next year. There is also no system of relegation and promotion.

ISL Flourishes in Cricket Mad Country

Cricket-mad India’s domestic football set-up ISL is flourishing. Football has gained a lot of popularity ever since the ISL came into inception. The league is the 4th most watched league in the world in terms of attendance per game. 

The introduction of renown international talent in the league is a big factor in reaping millions of fans to watch it. The buzz created by the owners and ambassadors which are mostly popular celebrities make it something no-one wants to miss out on.

The current generation of youngsters has an unbelievable appetite to consume football. And the interest to play the game among those in their early teens has been high. In fact, in the AFC Under-16 Championship in Goa recently, the Indian team gave a good account of itself.

This time the league looks to be bigger than ever. All the teams are stacking up on talented players and making some eye-opening acquisitions. This edition of the ISL is assured to be the most competitive to date. 

The Eight Teams Competing

In-spite of all the buzz surrounding the tournament, there are some who can’t seem to keep up to date with all the teams in the league. Let’s have a look at 8 of the teams which are playing in the league this season.

Kerala Blasters

Kerala have made some major changes in management by bringing in reputed Englishman Steve Coppell as their manager. Northern Ireland International Aaron Hughes is their marquee player. The defender will look to strengthen the defensive shape of Kerala.

With more top-class players in, Kerala Blasters will be looking to imitate their performances of the first season. Blasters will surely be gunning for the trophy this season.

Pune City

Pune City seems determined to challenge other teams. They have made Antonio Habas their manager. Habas was the manager of successful team Atletico de Kolkata for the past two seasons.

Pune has a strong Indian base which includes talented players like Lenny Rodrigues, Eugenson Lyngdoh and Arata Izumi. They will hope to bank on the Indian talent and give their fans something to cheer about this season.

Mumbai City 

Mumbai are favourites to win their first title due to their formidable front line. The attack consists of former Manchester United forward Forlan and India’s all-time top goal-scorer Sunil Chhetri.

They were plagued with management problems last season with Nicolas Anelka leaving. This time around they brought in former Costa Rica manager Alexandre Guimaraes to be their coach. They will surely want to rely on their attack to win them games this season.

NorthEast United

The unpredictable tigers of the ISL, NorthEast United FC have a bunch of players who can really threaten any team in the league. They have also gotten a more ambitious coach in Nelo Vingada last season and a new marquee player in Didier Zokora. 

With a very good balance of Indian and Foreign players, NorthEast United FC are one of the more entertaining teams in the ISL.

Delhi Dynamos

Delhi Dynamos brought in Italian legend Gianluca Zambrotta as their manager and retained Florent Malouda as their marquee player.  With some strong signings they’ve improved the core of their team and added some talented players who will balance out their game.

The Italian mind of Zambrotta will definitely be one to watch out for this season. Delhi will be reliant on Malouda to showcase his class and rally the Dynamos to the top of the league and beyond.

Atlético de Kolkata

Atletico de Kolkata have proved themselves to be one of the strongest teams in the Indian Super League for the past two seasons. They have brought in Spanish coach in Jose Molina to continue their Spanish tradition of football.

They’ve also retained Helder Postiga as their marquee player for the season and signed some valuable players. With a strong squad and some amazing players, they’re assured to make their mark in the league.

FC Goa

With Brazilian legend Zico as their coach, FC Goa already showed how destructive they can be. They have also brought in some more potential Samba players in Rafael Dumas, Richarlyson and Julio Cesar to buff up their team with stability and attacking power. 

With Lucio to lead them as their marquee player, FC Goa are definitely raring to go this season.

Chennaiyin FC

With a very strong squad they will look to plowed through opponents. Their Indian players are also performing really well. Chennaiyin FC are all set to defend their trophy this season. They got a legend in John Arne Riise as their marquee player for the season.

They have also made some other important signings this season to buff up their squad even more. With the shrewd Marco Materazzi remaining at helm as manager, they’ll be looking to imitate their performances last season.

ISL is staged with eight teams from all over India. Season 3 features 61 games which will be played in the span of 79 days. Just like the previous two seasons, the format of the league will be home-away followed by semi finals and the final.

For fixtures to the ISL 2016 Season 3, visit here.

Picture Courtesy:.IndianSuperLeague.com