Bengaluru FC, who joined the I-League in 2013, departed from this norm.
In the I-League, the erstwhile top division where the 3+1 rule has been in existence for long, teams usually adopted a top-heavy approach with one foreign centre-back, one in the midfield, and two up front. Just 1️⃣ Day to go for the #HeroISL 2021-22 season to kick-off! ? #LetsFootball /0RJWgEmg92 ? | Final checks are done and the excitement is at its peak. When the number was reduced to five, which was the rule until last season, many teams still preferred two centre-backs and three out of the four players in central areas higher up the pitch were also foreigners.īut now, the managers will have to find the right balance – and soon. In the beginning, when ISL allowed six foreigners in the playing 11, the central positions were all occupied by them – the two centre-backs, two central midfielders and two forwards. Most of them got negligible playing time and those who did start were played in wider areas of the pitch, from where it is tough to have a direct influence on the game. As the franchises went on a shopping spree for players with experience of playing in the second divisions of Europe and South America – who undoubtedly raised the standard of the league – Indians, unwittingly, played second fiddle. One of the major criticisms of the ISL over the years is it couldn’t be a platform for homegrown players, which it potentially could have been.
Straight away, the 3+1 rule opens up 11 spots for Indians. The national team’s performances have been on the decline in the last couple of years and, according to coach Igor Stimac, one of the reasons is the lack of match time for the Indian players. The 3+1 rule (three foreigners + one Asian player) changes the dynamics of the league in a big way and comes at a crucial time. The nation gears up for another festive season starting from tomorrow! ⚽?Ĭatch all the LIVE action on & ? #YehIndiaKaFootballHai #HeroISL #LetsFootball /hsnEI6akPe
This, after the league finally fell in line with an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) rule, which mandates the teams to employ only four foreign players in their starting 11.ġ️⃣1️⃣ Teams to battle it out for one mega prize! ? For the first time in the ISL, which kicks off on Friday, there will be more Indian players in the outfield compared to their foreign counterparts. “It’s important now that Indians step up and contribute more to the team.” “It’s time for Indian players to step up,” he said.