Despite kicking off a new league, the ISL, in 2014, Indian football has suffered from many problems in recent years. Now, India search to revive its football scene, and it fears no pandemic. Shibajee Das with a prelude to Indian football.
FC Goa will play in the ISL playoffs for the fifth time, more than any other club in India, but failed to win the title time after time. After finishing in the first place and becoming the first team from India to play at the AFC Champions League group stage, The Gaurs wish to complete the season in a perfect way.
(All times are in CET local time)
Amateur (Like these guys)
What? Universidad Católica – Palestino (Chilean Primera División)
When? Sunday, 23:30
Where? Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo, Santiago
Why? Colo Colo are the champions and both teams are playing for a place in the Libertadores. It’s the second leg of the Apertura final, afer Palestino won the 1st leg 2:1. This match is a decisive one.
Key Players: Cristopher Toselli, one of the best Chilean goalkeepers, is the guy to keep your eye on for Universidad Católica. Palestino striker, Marcos Riquelme, is the league’s top scorer with 10 goals.
First Time: While Palestino haven’t won the league since 1978, the women’s team made history this season, with their first ever title. In the final, they won 2:1 against Colo Colo, who had won the last 10 national titles.
Professional (like these goals)
What? FC Goa – Chennaiyin FC (Indian Super League)
When? Sunday, 14:30
Where? Fatorda Stadium, Goa
Why? The 2nd edition of the ISL is coming to its end and we will have new champions: Goa or Chennai. Goa finished in top spot at the end of the regular season, so they have the home advantage. Chennaiyin, last year’s runner-up, eliminated former champions Atlético de Kolkata in the semi-finals and will be hoping to finish one place higher than last year.
Key Players: Forget about the older famous foreigners! Don't miss FC Goa's Jonatan Lucca, a 21 year-old Brazilian midfielder who didn’t quite make the grade for AS Roma’s senior team and is now shining in India. On the other side, we have Chennaiyin's Stiven Mendoza, a 23 year-old Colombian striker and the league’s top scorer with 12 goals.
Indian World Champions: Each of the teams has a crew of owners including businessmen, Bollywood stars and cricket players. Virat Kohli of FC Goa and M.S Dhoni of Chennaiyin were both part of the Indian cricket team who won the 2011 World Cup.
World Class (like this goal)
What? Defence Force – North East Stars (TT Pro League)
When? Saturday, 21:00
Where? Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain
Why? After 7 weeks, the league of Trinidad and Tobago is extremely tight. Just 4 points separate the 1st and the 7th place and it seems that the season will stay close all the way to the end. Defence Force are in 1st place with 14 points and have lost only once this season, while North East Stars are behind them in 3rd with 13 points.
Key Players: Devorn Jorsling, the Defence Force striker, is one of the veteran players of the club and has played for the club for 11 seasons. For North East Stars you can find Neveal Hackshaw, a 20-year old midfielder who has already played several times for the senior national team.
To the Reserves: Ross Russell was a player and a manager at Defence Force for 26 years, winning 10 league titles. In January 2014, he had to retire due to the end of his military service.
