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Indian Super League

Indian Super League (ISL) is a mens professional football league in India founded in 2013 as an effort to increase the popularity of football in India and to increase the level of Indian football worldwide. The league serves as one of the top football leagues in India and runs from October to December. The league consists of eight teams around India and ISL is one of the few leagues that doesnt use the promotion and relegation system but uses a franchise system. The league is made on the lines of Indian Premier League, Major League Soccer of the United States and Canada. The league has completed two seasons with Atletico de Kolkata winning the first league in 2014 and Chennaiyin FC winning the second season in 2015. The third season of ISL is scheduled to start from 1st October 2016. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) signed a 700 crore deal for 15 years with Reliance Industries and International Management Group (IMG) on 9th December 2010 and gave IMG and Reliance the exclusive rights to create new football league. They also had the exclusive rights for sponsorship, advertising, broadcasting, merchandising and video. The first version of IPL type football league came into existence in 2011 after the launch of Bengal Premier League Soccer by the Indian Football Association of West Bengal. The league was expected to feature top players including Fabio Cannavaro, Robert Pires etc. but the league was postponed to an undecided date in 2012 and then due to financial reasons it was disbanded in 2013. The rumors of the nation-wide football league arose in 2012 itself and it was confirmed after the AIFF approved IMG-Reliance proposal for another IPL style league in 2014. The I-League clubs were against the launch of the new league and threatened that they wont allow any of their players to be a part of the upcoming league. The owners formed an organization known as the Indian Professional Football Clubs Association and opposed the idea of the launch of the new league on a national level. However, in August 2013, IMG-Reliance was reported to have already signed the required amount of Indian players needed. ISL was officially launched on 21st October 2013 and it was first announced to take place from January 2014 to March 2014 but was then postponed to September 2014. The bidding took place on 3rd March 2014 and the condition for bidders to bid was to comply with a financial requirement and they also needed to promote grassroots development plans for football within their area. The winning bidders were announced in April for different cities and states and the selected states and cities included Banglore, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Guwahati, Kochi and Kolkata. ISL had a great popularity and many celebrities became the co-owners of the teams. Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar along with PVP Ventures won the Kochi franchise and Saurav Ganguly won the bid for Kolkata. Bollywood celebrities too won the bid and John Abraham won the bid of Guwahati, Ranbir Kapoor of Mumbai and Salman Khan won the bid for Pune franchise. The final eight teams of ISL were revealed as Atletico de Kolkata, Delhi Dynamos, Goa FC, Kerala Blasters, Mumbai City, NorthEast United, Pune City and Chennaiyin FC. The inaugural season began on 12th October 2014 and in the first match Atletico de Kolkata defeated Mumbai City by 3-0. The season is for three months from October to December and every team play 14 matches, 7 at home and 7 away and at the end the top four teams qualify for the semifinal. The final is a single leg match and it is played in a neutral venue and if the scores are tied, an extra time is used to determine the winner and if still it gets tied, the penalty shootout is used to determine the winner. Hero Moto Corp is the title sponsor of ISL. The third season of Indian Super League will begin on 1st October 2016 and the final of ISL 2016 is set to be on 18th December 2016. The league has however gained criticism for its format as it is only a two month long league whereas most of the leagues continue for six months. I-League club Churchil Brothers argued that the league will do more harm than good to football. Other critics also have argued that the league may bring audience, sell tickets but it wont increase the quality of football as well as football players in the country.

ISL 2018-19: Udanta Singh, Miku Score as Bengaluru FC stun FC Goa 3-0 to Seal Top Spot in League
India.com Sports Desk | February 21, 2019 10:09 PM IST
Ten-man Bengaluru FC sealed their place at the top of the table with a stunning 3-0 win over FC Goa ...
ISL 2018-19: Udanta Singh, Miku Score as Bengaluru FC stun FC Goa 3-0 to Seal Top Spot in League
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2019-02-21T11:09:22+00:00
2019-02-21T13:06:28+00:00
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Indian Super League 2018-19: NorthEast United Aim For Playoffs Qualification Victory Against Pune City
India.com Sports Desk | February 20, 2019 7:29 PM IST
The Highlanders will aim to become the third team to qualify for the play-offs spot in the Indian Su...
Indian Super League 2018-19: NorthEast United Aim For Playoffs Qualification Victory Against Pune City
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2019-02-20T08:29:13+00:00
2019-02-20T08:29:13+00:00
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Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19: NorthEast United Eyes Semis Spot in Clash Against Pune City
India.com Sports Desk | February 19, 2019 8:06 PM IST
The Highlanders will aim to become the third team to qualify for the play-offs spot in the Indian Su...
Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19: NorthEast United Eyes Semis Spot in Clash Against Pune City
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2019-02-19T09:06:37+00:00
2019-02-19T09:06:37+00:00
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Sunil Chhetri-Led Bengaluru FC Accept Real Kashmir FC's Invite to Play Friendly Match in Srinagar in March
India.com Sports Desk | February 19, 2019 4:14 PM IST
Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Bengaluru FC Tuesday offered to play an exhibition match against Re...
Sunil Chhetri-Led Bengaluru FC Accept Real Kashmir FC's Invite to Play Friendly Match in Srinagar in March
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2019-02-19T05:14:05+00:00
2019-02-19T05:52:03+00:00
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Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19: FC Goa Qualifies For Semis, Pips Bengaluru to Occupy Table-Top Position
India.com Sports Desk | February 18, 2019 10:44 PM IST
FC Goa became the second team to qualify for the play-offs spot in the fifth season of Indian Super ...
Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19: FC Goa Qualifies For Semis, Pips Bengaluru to Occupy Table-Top Position
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2019-02-18T11:44:09+00:00
2019-02-18T11:44:09+00:00
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Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19, FC Goa vs Kerala Blasters Live Streaming Online, TV Broadcast, Timing, Team News, When, Where to Watch
India.com Sports Desk | February 18, 2019 4:35 PM IST
FC Goa will look to solidify their play-offs spot when they take to the field against Kerala Blaster...
Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19, FC Goa vs Kerala Blasters Live Streaming Online, TV Broadcast, Timing, Tea
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2019-02-18T05:35:59+00:00
2019-02-18T05:35:59+00:00
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Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19: FC Goa Solidifies Play-Off Spot With 3-0 Victory Against ATK
India.com Sports Desk | February 15, 2019 10:39 AM IST
FC Goa on Thursday solidified their quest for the play-off spots with a thumping victory against two...
Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19: FC Goa Solidifies Play-Off Spot With 3-0 Victory Against ATK
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2019-02-14T23:39:46+00:00
2019-02-14T23:39:46+00:00
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ISL 2018-19: Rowllin Borges, Bartholomew Ogbeche Score as NorthEast United FC Beat Mumbai City FC 2-0
India.com Sports Desk | February 13, 2019 10:45 PM IST
Hosts Mumbai City FC suffered their third defeat in a row after going down 0-2 to North East United ...
ISL 2018-19: Rowllin Borges, Bartholomew Ogbeche Score as NorthEast United FC Beat Mumbai City FC 2-0
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2019-02-13T11:45:14+00:00
2019-02-13T13:04:32+00:00
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ISL 2018-19 Mumbai City FC vs NorthEast United Live Streaming Online And TV Broadcast - Timing IST, Team News, Betting Tips, When, Where to Watch Online
India.com Sports Desk | February 12, 2019 11:38 PM IST
The stakes will be as high as ever when Mumbai City FC host NorthEast United FC as the race for the ...
ISL 2018-19 Mumbai City FC vs NorthEast United Live Streaming Online And TV Broadcast - Timing IST, Team News
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2019-02-12T12:38:03+00:00
2019-02-12T12:37:42+00:00
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Indian Super League: Mumbai City FC, North East United FC in Battle to Enhance Playoff Hopes
PTI | February 12, 2019 12:33 PM IST
After two back-to-back defeats, Mumbai City FC would be keen to get back to winning ways when they c...
Indian Super League: Mumbai City FC, North East United FC in Battle to Enhance Playoff Hopes
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2019-02-12T01:33:00+00:00
2019-02-12T01:33:00+00:00
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ATK Set to Battle it Out Against Pune City as ISL Play-Offs Knock at The Door
India.com Sports Desk | February 9, 2019 8:12 PM IST
Indian Super League side FC Pune City will take to the field against two-time finalists ATK in a cru...
ATK Set to Battle it Out Against Pune City as ISL Play-Offs Knock at The Door
indiacom
2019-02-09T09:12:25+00:00
2019-02-09T09:12:25+00:00
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Minerva Punjab Lift Their Maiden Elite League Trophy
ANI | February 8, 2019 11:45 PM IST
Minerva Punjab FC rode on two second-half strikes from Makan Winkle Chothe and Thoiba Singh to regis...
Minerva Punjab Lift Their Maiden Elite League Trophy
indiacom
2019-02-08T12:45:52+00:00
2019-02-08T12:45:52+00:00
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ISL 2018-19: Table Toppers Bengaluru FC Set to Take Defending Champions Chennaiyin FC in South Indian Derby
India.com Sports Desk | February 8, 2019 10:08 PM IST
In what will be a replay of the final of Indian Super League (ISL) 2017, table-toppers Bengaluru FC ...
ISL 2018-19: Table Toppers Bengaluru FC Set to Take Defending Champions Chennaiyin FC in South Indian Derby
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2019-02-08T11:08:47+00:00
2019-02-08T11:08:47+00:00
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ISL 2018-19: Sunil Chhetri-Led Bengaluru FC Fight Back From Two Goals Down to Salvage a 2-2 Draw Against Kerala Blasters FC
India.com Sports Desk | February 6, 2019 10:33 PM IST
Bengaluru FC staged a superb fightback after being two-goal down to salvage a 2-2 draw against Keral...
ISL 2018-19: Sunil Chhetri-Led Bengaluru FC Fight Back From Two Goals Down to Salvage a 2-2 Draw Against Kera
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2019-02-06T11:33:22+00:00
2019-02-07T01:52:26+00:00
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Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters Live Football Streaming, Updates Indian Super League 2019 in India Online- Preview, Timing IST, Team News, TV Broadcast, Betting Tips, Fantasy XI, Sunil Chhetri, When Where to Watch Free
India.com Sports Desk | February 6, 2019 4:56 PM IST
Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters Live Football Streaming: It is possibly the most-awaited clash in th...
Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters Live Football Streaming, Updates Indian Super League 2019 in India Online- P
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2019-02-06T05:56:23+00:00
2019-02-06T05:56:23+00:00
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ISL 2018-19: Kerala Blasters Set to Take on Sunil Chhetri-Led Bengaluru in South Indian Derby Clash
India.com Sports Desk | February 5, 2019 7:15 PM IST
Indian Super League (ISL) sides Kerala Blasters will take to the field against Bengaluru in what is ...
ISL 2018-19: Kerala Blasters Set to Take on Sunil Chhetri-Led Bengaluru in South Indian Derby Clash
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2019-02-05T08:15:22+00:00
2019-02-05T08:15:22+00:00
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ISL 2018-19: FC Goa Lose Crucial Points Against Delhi Dynamos as Race For Top-Four Heats up
India.com Sports Desk | February 4, 2019 11:11 PM IST
Indian Super League (ISL) sides Delhi Dynamos held Goa to a goalless draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru St...
ISL 2018-19: FC Goa Lose Crucial Points Against Delhi Dynamos as Race For Top-Four Heats up
indiacom
2019-02-04T12:11:18+00:00
2019-02-04T12:11:18+00:00
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Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19: FC Goa Set For Delhi Dynamos Clash, Aims For Top-Four Finish
India.com Sports Desk | February 3, 2019 8:00 PM IST
Indian Super League (ISL) clubs FC Goa will aim to bolster their top-four chances when they take to ...
Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19: FC Goa Set For Delhi Dynamos Clash, Aims For Top-Four Finish
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2019-02-03T09:00:16+00:00
2019-02-03T09:00:16+00:00
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ISL: Marcelino brace wins it for FC Pune City vs Chennaiyin
PTI Feeds | February 3, 2019 11:39 AM IST
Chennai, Feb 2 (PTI) FC Pune City rode on Marcelino's double strike to beat a struggling Chennaiyin ...
ISL: Marcelino brace wins it for FC Pune City vs Chennaiyin
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2019-02-03T00:39:27+00:00
2019-02-03T00:39:27+00:00
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Chennaiyin FC vs Pune City ISL 2018-19, Live Streaming _ Preview , Timing IST, Team News, When And Where to Watch Online
India.com Sports Desk | February 2, 2019 5:29 PM IST
Indian Super League sides Chennaiyin will take to the field against FC Pune City on Saturday with th...
Chennaiyin FC vs Pune City ISL 2018-19, Live Streaming _ Preview , Timing IST, Team News, When And Where to W
indiacom
2019-02-02T06:29:28+00:00
2019-02-02T06:29:28+00:00
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