While IPL 2020 continues to dominate the sports news in India, football fans are happy to learn that the Indian Super League (ISL) has welcomed another new team to the league. The Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) announced on Sep 27 that East Bengal Football Club will now be a part of the ISL.
The ISL is the premier football league in India and will be hosting its 7th season in November 2020. East Bengal F.C was welcomed to the ISL after new investor Shree Cement Limited, a Kolkata based company decided to enter the bidding process of the ISL and pave the way for East Bengal F.C. to join the league.
ISL 2020 To Take Place In Goa
ISL 2020 will be the first and biggest sporting event to be held in India post the COVID-19 lockdown. The ISL will take place in Goa as the organizers look to use three stadiums in Goa and create a bio-bubble for the players. Players and coaching staff will have to follow strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) during the ISL to ensure that the tournament can be completed without any problems.
East Bengal F.C. now becomes the 11th team to join the franchise. The other teams that are part of the ISL include FC Goa, Jamshedpur FC, Hyderabad FC, Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters, Odisha FC, Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United and ATK Mohun Bagan.
The ISL season will take place behind closed doors but the games will be broadcasted on TV and on social media channels.
ISL To Create Surge In Football Fans
ATK Mohun Bagan and East Bengal F.C have been rivals for decades and football fans, especially from Kolkata will be thrilled to see both teams now compete in the ISL.
Nita Ambani, Founder & Chairperson of the FDSL welcomed East Bengal F.C. to the ISL and said now that ATK Mohun Bagan and East Bengal F.C were in the competition; it would create tremendous interest in football throughout the country and also boost talent development in the state.
East Bengal F.C is one of the most iconic football clubs in India and celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2020. They have won the National Football League championship on three occasions since 1996, won 29 IFA Shield cups, 3 Super Cups, 8 Federation Cups and a record 16 Durand Cup cups.
East Bengal F.C. will want to not only put in a good performance during their inaugural ISL championship but will want to bring the title back home and celebrate the club’s 100th anniversary in style.
Robbie Fowler – New Head Coach
East Bengal F.C is serious about making a big impression in the ISL and started negotiating with Liverpool’s Robbie Fowler to take on the role of their new head coach. The Club and Fowler have been holding talks for over two weeks now and sources claim that the deal is finalized.
Fowler started out his career playing for Liverpool and spent over 8 years with them before moving to Leeds United for a couple of seasons. He would then move to Manchester City for a while before moving back to Liverpool in the later stages of his career. His achievements speak for themselves as he holds the record for being the 7th highest scorer in the Premier League with 163 goals and the 3rd highest scorer for Liverpool with 183 goals.
When he retired, he took up a coaching role and has spent time coaching multiple overseas teams. Fowler coached Muangthong United, a top football club in Thailand and helped them take third place during the 2011 – 2012 season. He took a break from coaching for a long time but recently took up coaching again for Brisbane Roar FC, an A-League side.
We will have to wait and see how the Fowler and East Bengal F.C partnership turns out.
