Yet another season of the I-League is all set to kick off, and the teams are assembling their squads with a heightened level of competitiveness to earn a place in the Indian Super League. Despite uncertainties surrounding the league’s extension, clubs have been well ahead in preparing for a season that is nearly impossible to predict in any number of ways, or how it will ultimately unfold.
It promises to be an open-ended affair, with each club giving their all to surge to the top spot and clinch that coveted I-League title. Here, we take a look at how the teams are asserting their authority on paper ahead of this much-awaited campaign.
Sreenidi Deccan FC
It will be a season of unfinished business for Sreenidi Deccan FC, as they seek redemption for their lost cause, falling short of the title by a mere 4-point deficit after an astonishing display of attacking prowess combined with defensive solidity. A team that scored a staggering 54 goals in 24 games cannot be ignored, even in dreams, conceding only 26, showcasing the team’s valiant nature. However, things are fresh at the top, as there is a new gaffer in Rui Amorim, a 47-year-old Portuguese manager with extensive experience in Portugal and Czechia, who will now lead the Deccan Warriors.
The team from Hyderabad has replaced two of their foreign players, Ibrahim Sissoko and Rilwan Hassan, with Roly Bonevacia and Angel Orelien. They have also brought in Ajay Chetri as a replacement for Mayakkanan, who left for NorthEast United, and Lalchungnunga Chhangthe from HFC, with Lotjem coming in on loan from Mumbai City FC. Ubaid CK will take over as goalkeeper, replacing Albino Gomes, while the entirety of last season’s core squad remains intact, with much more firepower at their disposal.
The new signings, Roly and Angel, bring an energy and vibrance that could be too hot to handle for opponents. Jagdeep Singh, who excelled with his defensive mastery last season, could once again become an integral part of the squad. The additions of Chhangthe, Lalromawia, and Rosenberg further extend their options on the wings, providing deadly balls for the in-form David Castaneda and William. Sreenidi starts a new season where they left off, with even more firepower and options at their disposal, and could be fighting for the title just like last year.
Gokulam Kerala FC
The former champions are on a mission to reclaim the throne and once again establish themselves as champions. They finished in third place, thanks to their formidable attacking combinations, which sustained them throughout the league, including a Golden Boot winner in Alex Sanchez, with an impressive 19 goals. They scored an astonishing 55 goals, the highest in the league, but the lack of consistency in defense was a vulnerable point. This time, the team will be led by the Indian-experienced Spanish tactician, Antonio Rueda.
There have been significant changes to the squad, including the departure of their top scorer, Sanchez, and assist provider, Noufal. Sreekuttan VS, Sourav, Aminou Bouba, Nikola, and Komron have also left the squad, but the Malabarians have strengthened with competitive replacements, bringing in plenty of experience. Among the new foreign signings are Martin Chaves, Ignacio Abeledo, Abdu Lumala, Joris Correa, Sergio Llamas, and Jose Moreno. Experienced campaigners like Michal Soosairaj, Suhair, Sebastian, and Emil Benny, along with young talents such as Tharpuia, Aman Gaikwad, and Devansh, have been added to the roster.
The signings of former Gokulam Keralites like Suhair, Emil, and Sebastian will bring a heightened sense of fighting mentality and a surge of energy. The arrival of Tharpuia could prove to be a game-changer, as he is a tricky player and could become a serious attacking weapon for the Malabarians. However, the defensive lineup might be a concern, as the new faces will need time to gel. Nevertheless, Gokulam has enough resources to pose a significant threat to their opponents.
Inter Kashi
Inter Kashi, a dynamic entrant to Indian football, is gearing up for the 2024-25 season with high expectations. After showing promise in the I-League last year, the club is ready to push boundaries in its quest for greater success. A standout season saw them finish a commendable fourth place with 41 points, with key contributions from players like Edmund, who earned a call-up to the national team, Mario Barco’s impressive 24 goal contributions, and a defense led by Hartley that was hard to forget. This time, they’ve taken the next step by bringing in the best—Antonio Lopez Habas to lead the charge.
While players like Jordan Lamela, Dos Santos, and Hartley have left, Inter Kashi continues to focus on developing a blend of local talent and seasoned international players. Backed by strong financial support, the club aims to challenge the established teams with an attacking style of play, heavily reliant on possession and quick transitions. The additions of former Finland international and experienced ISL campaigner Joni Kauko, Domi Berlanga, Stojanovic, and Humanes bring experience and leadership across the squad. In the Indian contingent, Narayan Das, Prasanth, Harmanpreet, Aritra Das, and William, along with Edmund, will form a formidable force to reckon with.
An ambitious tactician, known for emphasizing teamwork and adaptability, combined with a top scorer from the previous season, a reliable shot-stopper with a proven record of crucial saves, and a midfield maestro, makes Inter Kashi a team to watch this season. Inter Kashi’s ambitious project has raised hopes among fans. While a title challenge might be a stretch, a top-half finish and a strong cup run are realistic targets. The 2024-25 season promises excitement, ambition, and determination. With a balanced squad and a clear tactical philosophy, they aim to cement their place as a formidable force in Indian football. Fans will eagerly watch as they embark on this thrilling campaign.
Real Kashmir FC
The team from Kashmir displayed valor and solidity, particularly in their defensive prowess, boasting an impressive record of 12 clean sheets and conceding the fewest goals in the entire league, with only 19 goals breached—both statistics being the best in the competition. Gnohere Krizo emerged as the top scorer for the team, netting 12 goals, while Jeremy Laldinpuia showcased his attacking prowess.
Muheet Shabir, the custodian, led a formidable defensive lineup consisting of Muhammad Hammad, Wayne Vaz, Shaher Shaheen, and Carlos Lomba, who proved to be defensive stalwarts throughout the season, contributing significantly to the team’s solid defensive record and overall performance.
The Snow Leopards are once again gearing up for a thrilling season under the leadership of Indian coach Ishfaq Ahmed. A team that boasts the best defensive record in the league with 12 clean sheets and only 19 goals conceded shows solidarity and discipline. If they can continue their resilience and capitalize on their advantages, they are certainly a team to reckon with in the fight for the ultimate spot.
Delhi FC
After a season where they faltered here and there, ultimately finishing in 6th place, Delhi are approaching the new season with fresh faces and a reinvigorated squad. They fell short as a collective unit despite having a decent roster at their disposal. The defense lacked confidence, conceding too many goals, which cost them. The lack of experience across the department led to lost points throughout the season.
Sergio Barboza emerged as a standout performer, with his dazzling pace and attacking mastery, tallying an impressive 14 goals in the league. However, they will lose his presence, as he was transferred out, along with Pape Gassamam, Alisher, and Fahad Temuri. On the flip side, they have added some impressive young talent that could bolster the squad, bringing a burst of energy. The foreign contingent now includes fresh faces like Dawa Shering, Stephane Dang, Stephen Acquah, Laken Limbu, and Nelson Okwa, alongside Indian recruits Abdul Salam, Sajal Bag, and Debnath Mondal.
The integration of these fresh faces, combined with the existing players, will be a challenge for coach Yan Law as they embark on an even tougher league than last season. The mix of youth and experience presents a serious threat, but squad depth and conversion in front of goal will be key factors in their progress. There is quality in the squad beyond expectations, and it will be a matter of how the puzzle is solved.
Churchill Brothers FC
After a disappointing season, the former I-League champions are gearing up to climb back to the top with a reformed squad and significant quality upgrades. The Red Machines finished in 7th place due to their inconsistency as a collective unit throughout the league, despite having multiple standout individual performers who were notable figures in the competition. Former TRAU FC head coach Dimitris Dimitriou will lead the team, aiming for the title and expecting nothing less.
Louis Ogana and Martin Chaves, key players from last season, have left the squad. In their place, the team has made important upgrades and revamped their foreign contingent with experienced players such as Kurtis Guthrie, Juan Mera, Pape Gassama, Aubin Koukou, Wayde Lekay, and Mattheew Dunga. The main custodian, Subhashish Roy, has also left the team, and there are only young players to replace the experienced goalkeeper. Performers from last season, like Lamgoulen Hangshing, Nishchal Chandan, Stendly Fernandes, and Lalremruata Ralte, remain part of the roster, making the squad even stronger.
The team is expected to play fast-paced football, especially with the addition of swift wing-backs, midfielders, and wingers like Faisal Ali and Phrangki Buam on the flanks. They have also loaned in India U-20 captain Thomas Cherian, further strengthening their defense. Building chemistry between the new additions will be one key challenge ahead for the Reds, but with the hard work and preseason preparation, they are certainly poised for a top-table finish.
Shillong Lajong FC
A season to rebound and climb their way back to the top for Shillong, as they finished in a not-so-impressive mid-table position last season. Despite having several standout Indian and foreign players who were among the league’s top performers, the lack of experience and flair cost them points, dropping their position in the table. This time, they are set to take the I-League stage under the leadership of the experienced Indian-Spanish tactician, Jose Hevia.
Shillong has managed to retain their core players, including standout defenders Ronney Wilson and Kynsai at the backline, along with Hardi Nongbri in midfield. In the foreign contingent, they have lured Spanish midfielder Imanol Arana, who performed exceptionally well for Namdhari last season. They have also signed experienced attacker Douglas Tardin and retained their foreign core of Goncalves, Paulinho, and Rudwere, making them stronger on paper.
Shillong will undoubtedly aim for a top spot finish, especially with the addition of quality foreign signings and the proficient leadership of Jose Hevia. The squad is a mix of fresh young talent and experienced players, with the midfield likely to be the focal point for progression. However, the lack of experience could be a concern when facing top teams, making those matchups a challenge for the young colts to handle.
Namdhari FC
After a disheartening debut season with a 9th-place finish in the table, Namdhari is looking ahead to the new season with much more enthusiasm and energy, aiming to bolster their squad to compete at a higher level. Even though the team finished at the bottom, there were some bright sparks here and there, spotlighting promising prospects. Some of these include Harmanpreet Singh, Manvir Singh, Akashdeep, and Saurabh, all of whom shone at their best. With the new season approaching, they will be led by Argentine coach Fernando Capobianco.
The new season will pose a serious challenge for Namdhari, as they have lost some key players who were pivotal in their debut campaign, including two Spanish players—Imanol and Ivan Garrido. However, they have signed Abubakr Gariba, Stephen Kojo, and Adrian Montoro to replace the departing players. It will be tough to gauge the complexity of this squad’s composition, as they face significant issues with squad strength.
There are lingering questions for the side from Punjab, as they will face tougher opponents than in their initial season, with everyone targeting that coveted promotion spot. The quality is there, but much will depend on how the squad depth holds up and whether it can level things out.
Aizawl FC
After a controversial finish to the season, Aizawl remains, as always, a team to watch out for young, promising talents. They finished just above the bottom of the table, with two of their final games canceled, but showed a strong and promising run, even spending some time in the top half of the table with a potent mix of youthful energy. Ivan Angelovski, the North Macedonian gaffer, will be responsible for leading the team as they embark on a new season with fresh faces across the squad.
Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, who made history by breaking the all-time I-League record for top goalscorer in a single season, netting an impressive 15 goals while also providing 3 assists, is still with the team, making them a serious threat up front. However, they have lost several key players, including Joe Zoherliana, Lalthanmawia, Lalrinfela, Tharpuia, SK Sahil, Remsanga, and Nora Fernandes. To strengthen their squad, they have signed Lalruathara, Samuel Lalmuanpuia, Tlangte, and Sailung.
As always, Aizawl builds a strong foundation, keeping their defense solid while continuing to develop and upgrade their style of play, making them a formidable threat. The additions of experienced campaigners, combined with bright prospects, make Aizawl the dark horses of the league.
Rajasthan United FC
After a terrible season, Rajasthan United is trying to move past the failures and focus on building a stronger I-League campaign for the future. Rajasthan had one of the worst defensive records in the league, conceding a bewildering 63 goals, which must be addressed in order to rectify the mistakes of the past. Walter Caprile, an Uruguayan tactician, will be in charge of The Desert Warriors as they prepare for the new I-League season.
Rajasthan has lost their top scorer, Richardson Kwaku Denzell, who netted 16 goals and provided 2 assists, to a Serbian first-tier side. They will miss the presence of Chhangte and William on the wings, but they have brought in some top-quality foreign additions to cover those positions. These include Alain Oyarzun, Saido Berahino, Gerard Artigas, Ronaldo Mina, Ronny Rodriguez, and Ronaldo Johnson. They have also lured in Songpu Singsit and Chanso Horam to fill the void in the wing positions.
Rajasthan has indeed built a strong squad, especially in the foreign contingent, where they have taken the next step in their quest for success. If they can overcome the challenge of integrating fresh faces with the fiery energy of young players, Rajasthan could well become a force to be reckoned with.
New Entrants
The fresh faces of Dempo SC and SC Bengaluru are set to assert their authority and show that they are poised for success in the I-League, despite having recently gained promotion.
Dempo, on the other hand, is no stranger to the Indian football fraternity. With a rich history of winning numerous championships across the country, including multiple I-League titles, the Durand Cup, and an AFC Cup appearance, they are back to reclaim their lost pride and place in the history books. Dempo will be led by Samir Naik, who has brought the club back to glory, steering them to this point.
SC Bengaluru, formed in 2022, has aimed for the top from its inception, securing their spot in this season’s I-League as a result of their relentless efforts. They gained promotion in their first attempt, thanks to exceptional work behind the scenes that translated into strong performances on the field. SC Bengaluru will be led by Chinta Chandrashekar Rao, who has been with the club since its beginning.
This season promises fierce competition, with the battle intensifying until the very last moments to determine who will claim the title and secure promotion to the Indian Super League, with immense spirit and enthusiasm. The league is set to kick off on November 22nd with the opening game between Sreenidhi Deccan FC and Gokulam Kerala FC.
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