PANJIM: The much-awaited Indian Super League returns in the State once again as last season’s finalist ATK Mohun Bagan clash against Kerala Blasters in the tournament opener at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Friday.
While ATK finished second and Kerala finished at the bottom, both sides will look to open their campaign with three points today.
However, this season we can expect plenty of action as there will be more local talent on the pitch.
The season will see teams playing with a minimum of seven local players plus a maximum of four foreigners in the XI.
The league will witness an increase in local players’ on-field participation, thanks to a new set of guidelines that mandates clubs to field a minimum of seven domestic footballers at one time from the previous six.
A rise in the number of Indian players means one spot less for foreign stars which will now be capped at four.
The cap on foreign players to a maximum four is in accordance with the AFC club competition regulations.
The changes gave the clubs the leeway to sign a maximum of six foreign players of which one is required to be from an AFC member nation (3+1).
The inaugural edition in 2014 had witnessed a playing composition of six foreigners and five Indian players. Over the years, the league has gradually increased the spots for Indian players, with ISL 2017-18 having a minimum six Indian players on the field, which was further increased to seven for this season.
Like in the last season, the three venues in Goa — Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Tilak Maidan in Vasco and GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolin — will host the first phase of the ISL which runs till January 9.
On the eve of the tournament opener, ATK Mohun Bagan coach Antonio Habas said his team will play their own game against Kerala Blasters but will go into the field with nothing but respect for their opponents.
ATK Mohun Bagan will look to maintain their winning record against the Blasters, having defeated them twice last season.
