Seated next to Manolo Marquez and appearing dejected, Lalengmawia Ralte had little option but to concur with the head coach's evaluation. "We were fortunate to secure a draw," Ralte remarked following the 0-0 match against Bangladesh in Shillong last month. However, on Monday, Ralte, known as Apuia in the football community, was celebrated by nearly 60,000 fans at Salt Lake Stadium. The shift from disappointment to elation occurred in less than two weeks.

The current season of the Indian Super League (ISL) will conclude on Saturday. Highlights include Sunil Chhetri's remarkable aerial prowess, Khalid Jamil's defensive strategy that required a record 71 entries into the penalty area, and a joint-record of 35 shots needed to breach the defense, with Albino Gomes achieving an impressive 102 saves throughout the season (also a record). Armando Sadiku's memorable "crotch" celebration and his late goals added to the excitement, making the semi-finals a dramatic spectacle. These matches were held in front of enthusiastic crowds in Jamshedpur, Bengaluru (on a night when the city also hosted an IPL match), Goa, and Kolkata, where over 58,000 fans attended at the beginning of the week.

Home advantage

  There are numerous factors contributing to Mohun Bagan Super Giant's unbeaten record at home this season, with one of the most notable being the intense atmosphere generated by their supporters, often referred to as the "welcome to hell." Jose Molina remarked, "Perhaps opponents do not feel entirely at ease in this environment." Jamie Maclaren added a light-hearted comment before the match, suggesting that Jamshedpur may not have encountered such a fervent crowd before.

The Salt Lake stadium significantly surpasses other venues in size, enhancing the home advantage. If this pattern persists, the support from the crowd will become a formidable factor. According to data from the ISL, attendance figures were 58,123 in Kolkata, 20,698 in Jamshedpur, 16,875 in Goa, and 19,223 in Bengaluru. When asked about his preference for the final, Gerard Zaragoza expressed a desire for it to take place at the Kanteerava.

As the Indian Super League approached its conclusion, the I-League entered its final match day with four teams vying for the championship. The I-League has consistently demonstrated an unparalleled capacity for creating suspense on the last day, surpassing other domestic competitions in various sports. This occasion was no exception, with fortunes shifting dramatically across locations as varied as Kashmir, Kozhikode, and Kalyani.

State of affairs

Now The unfortunate news is that the identity of the I-League champions will remain unknown until April 28, when the appeals committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) convenes. It is regrettable that a resolution regarding the Inter Kashi-Namdhari match could not be reached prior to the final match day; however, AIFF representatives indicated that this was not due to a lack of effort. They explained that the committee operates independently, and not all members were available for discussions beforehand.

This situation reflects a season in which the AIFF has been entangled in legal disputes. It has been a season characterized by the awkward scheduling of its cup tournament and the organization of youth leagues during the peak of summer.

ISL’s future?

I  The unfortunate news is that the identity of the I-League champions will remain unknown until April 28, when the appeals committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) convenes. It is regrettable that a resolution regarding the Inter Kashi-Namdhari match could not be reached prior to the final match day; however, AIFF representatives indicated that this was not due to a lack of effort. They explained that the committee operates independently, and not all members were available for discussions beforehand.

This situation reflects a season in which the AIFF has been entangled in legal disputes. It has been a season characterized by the awkward scheduling of its cup tournament and the organization of youth leagues during the peak of summer.

Play of the week

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