Proclaimed a game-changer and perhaps the most star-studded event ever in the history of Indian football featuring retired giants of the game, the Indian Super league (ISl) will kick off here on Sunday aiming to give a fresh lease of life to the global sport in a country which has been called a “sleeping giant” by FIFA.
Ranked 158th in the world, Indian football is not exactly in the pink of health but with a bit of help from former World Cup winners, some big Bollywood stars and a dash of cricket to it, the ISl would be looking to draw the fans and raise the profile of the ‘beautiful game’ in a nation obsessed with cricket.
The tournament features five World Cup winners and Brazilian legend Zico, as coach, and that has been the one big factor in generating the buzz around the glitzy league.
All the marquee players are past their prime and are discards of European leagues — David James of Kerala Blasters is the oldest at 44 — but the event has generated worldwide attention.
There are, however, detractors who have questioned how the Indian footballers will benefit from the 10-week league which has a six-five foreigners-domestic ratio and whether the new teams will able to gain fan bases like the traditional powerhouses East Bengal, Mohun Bagan or the Goan and North-East clubs.
On paper, the Ranbir Kapoor co-owned Mumbai City FC appear to be the heavyweights with the Frenchman Nicolas Anelka and Swede Fredrik ljungberg along with acclaimed domestic players like India no 1 goalkeeper Subrata Pal, experienced side-back Syed Rahim Nabi and the spirited medio lalrindika Ralte.
Mumbai City FC have some English flavour in the coaching staff with Peter Reid and his deputy Steve Darby.
In ex-liverpool star luis Garcia and la liga journeymen Borja Fernández and Jofre Mateu and manager Antonio lópez Habas, Atletico de Kolkata look Spanish.
They would be playing alongside Indian players such as Sanju Pradhan, Arnab Mondal, Cavin lobo Baljit Sahni and Cimax lawrence.
ATK will look to gain fans in a city that’s known for their huge support to local clubs East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting.
Apart from Mumbai, FC Goa too is highly decorated with Robert Pires and Brazilian legend Zico, the most decorated marquee manager.
Goa and North-East United FC of Guwahati are the only teams in the ISl to have avoided the domestic players draft and the two teams with huge fanbase would be the ones to watch out for.
While Goa had joined hands with former I-league champions Dempo SC, NEUFC took the support of Shillong lajong FC to build their respective teams.
With the likes of promising Alwyn George, a two-time FPAI Young Player of the Year winner along with Cliford Miranda, Ranti Martins the proven performers in India, Goa FC look highly promising.
North-East United FC have 36-year-old Spanish World Cup winner in Joan Capdevilla as their marquee player. They also have highly accomplished Greek goalkeeper Alexsandros Tzorvas, Isaac Chansa.
Indian regulars Seminlen Doungel, Aiborlang Khongjee, Milan Singh, Boithang Haokip and local lad Durga Boro would look to give support to the well accomplished foreign roster.
With John Abraham as the team owner, the Guwahati franchise will look to woo the crowd and take the sport to another level in the region.
Delhi Dynamos too are one of the most talked about franchise after their signing of Italian World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero. like ATK Delhi have a link to a big European club — Feyenoord, and they will have 33-year old Danish forward Mads Junker who is in top form along with compatriot Morten Skoubu and world’s tallest goalkeeper at six feet 10 inches Kristof Van Hout.
FC Pune City have French World Cup winner David Trezeguet as their marquee signing. They will also have Bruno Cirillo and former Greece captain Kostas Katsouranis who will be the playmaker.
Among Indians Dudu Omagbemi will look to gel well with the team. Italian defender Marco Materazzi will be the fifth Cup winner in the ISl.