MSC to provide ISL its first friendly test

PANAJI: I-League teams dismiss the Indian Super League (ISL) as a fantasy tournament where “retired footballers” will spend three months and laugh their way to the bank.
The ISL is scheduled to kick off on October 12 but before the eight-franchise tournament commences in Kolkata, Indian football will have a fair idea of just how good its standard is, interestingly, after pitting their might against I-League sides in friendlies.
Mohammedan Sporting Club, who were relegated last season from the I-League — India’s premier football competition — will provide the first test to the ISL after agreeing to play a friendly against Alessandro del Piero’s Delhi Dynamos on September 25 in Delhi.
Mohammedan Sporting are the only top side with a full-strength squad at their disposal and not opposed to the ISL. Others like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have loaned their players to the ISL and will be depleted till the conclusion of the league on December 20.
“This is another step in improving the relationship between current clubs and new franchisees. They need to co-exist for the betterment of Indian football,” said Anuj Kichlu, CEO, the Football Edge, who are facilitating the first-of-its kind friendly.
Interestingly, last season, Mohammedan Sporting were the first to break away from the Indian Professional Football Clubs Association (IPFCA), a body of all top clubs in the country, by loaning five players from IMG-Reliance.
Mohammedan Sporting may not be alone.
Pune FC are being approached by the Mumbai and Pune franchise of the ISL for some much-needed friendlies prior to the start of the tournament. Pune FC, coached by Karim Bencherifa, are currently in Mumbai and lined up to play friendlies against Air India and ONGC this week.
Goan clubs Salgaocar Football Club and Sporting Clube de Goa are the only two teams to consistently remain firm on their stand that they will not have anything to do with the ISL. Pune FC and Bengaluru FC (BFC) announced partnerships with franchisees; although since then, Pune have gone quiet and BFC were left red-faced as the Bengaluru franchise opted out of the ISL.