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| league topscorer = [[Bidyashagar Singh]]<br/>(12 goals)
| league topscorer = [[Bidyashagar Singh]]<br/>(12 goals)
| best goalkeeper = [[Kiran Chemjong]]<br>(105 mins per goal)
| best goalkeeper = [[Kiran Chemjong]]<br>(105 mins per goal)
| highest scoring = {{nobreak|[[Indian Arrows]] 2–5 [[Churchill Brothers SC|Churchill Brothers]]}}<br/>(10 January 2021)<br/>{{nobreak|[[Gokulam Kerala FC|Gokulam Kerala]] 4–3 [[RoundGlass Punjab FC|Punjab]]}}<br/>(14 January 2021)<br/>{{nobreak|[[Real Kashmir FC|Real Kashmir]] 4–3 [[NEROCA FC|NEROCA]]}}<br/>(13 February 2021)
| highest scoring = {{nowrap|[[Indian Arrows]] 2–5 [[Churchill Brothers SC|Churchill Brothers]]}}<br/>(10 January 2021)<br/>{{nowrap|[[Gokulam Kerala FC|Gokulam Kerala]] 4–3 [[RoundGlass Punjab FC|Punjab]]}}<br/>(14 January 2021)<br/>{{nowrap|[[Real Kashmir FC|Real Kashmir]] 4–3 [[NEROCA FC|NEROCA]]}}<br/>(13 February 2021)
| longest wins = [[TRAU FC|TRAU]]<br/>(5 games)
| longest wins = [[TRAU FC|TRAU]]<br/>(5 games)
| longest unbeaten = [[Churchill Brothers SC|Churchill Brothers]]<br/>(11 games)
| longest unbeaten = [[Churchill Brothers SC|Churchill Brothers]]<br/>(11 games)
Line 28: Line 28:
}}
}}


The '''2020–21 I-League''' (known as the ''Hero I-League'' for sponsorship reasons) was the 14th season of the [[I-League]], one of the top tier Indian professional [[Association football|football]] leagues, since its establishment in 2007. The tournament was hosted in [[bio-secure bubble]] across four venues in [[Kolkata]] due to [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 pandemic]] situation in India.
The '''2020–21 I-League''' (known as the ''Hero I-League'' for sponsorship reasons) was the 14th season of the [[I-League]], one of the top tier Indian professional [[Association football|football]] leagues, since its establishment in 2007. The tournament was hosted in [[bio-secure bubble]] across four venues in [[Kolkata]] due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 pandemic]] situation in India.


[[Mohun Bagan A.C.|Mohun Bagan]] was declared the champion of the [[2019–20 I-League|2019–20]] season after the cancellation of matches due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], since the second placed team could not catch up even if all 20 games were completed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://i-league.org/league-committee-sends-its-recommendations-to-the-aiff-executive-committee/|title=League Committee sends its recommendations to the AIFF Executive Committee {{!}} Hero I-League|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref> However, following Mohun Bagan's merger with [[Indian Super League]] (ISL) club [[ATK (football club)|ATK]], the club began competing in the ISL from the [[2020–21 Indian Super League season|2020–21 ISL season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/field/963826/bengaluru-fc-to-play-in-afc-cup-playoffs-as-aiff-confirms-all-three-continental-spots-for-isl-teams|title=Bengaluru FC to play in AFC Cup playoffs as AIFF confirms all three continental spots for ISL teams|publisher=Scroll.in|date=4 June 2020}}</ref>
[[Mohun Bagan A.C.|Mohun Bagan]] was declared the champion of the [[2019–20 I-League|2019–20]] season after the cancellation of matches due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], since the second placed team could not catch up even if all 20 games were completed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://i-league.org/league-committee-sends-its-recommendations-to-the-aiff-executive-committee/|title=League Committee sends its recommendations to the AIFF Executive Committee {{!}} Hero I-League|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref> However, following Mohun Bagan's merger with [[Indian Super League]] (ISL) club [[ATK (football club)|ATK]], the club began competing in the ISL from the [[2020–21 Indian Super League season|2020–21 ISL season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/field/963826/bengaluru-fc-to-play-in-afc-cup-playoffs-as-aiff-confirms-all-three-continental-spots-for-isl-teams|title=Bengaluru FC to play in AFC Cup playoffs as AIFF confirms all three continental spots for ISL teams|publisher=Scroll.in|date=4 June 2020}}</ref>


Throughout the [[2020-21 I-League#First Phase|First Phase]], Churchill Brothers kept its dominance with an unbeaten run of 11 games, while in the [[2020-21 I-League#Second Phase|Second Phase]], Gokulam Kerala, Churchill Brothers and TRAU traded the lead several times throughout the [[2020-21 I-League#Championship Stage (Group A)|Championship Stage]]. Entering the final matchday, Gokulam Kerala were ahead on goal difference. However, with the Gokulam and TRAU facing off, either team could claim the title with a win. A draw in the Gokulam Kerala–TRAU match and a win were needed for Churchill Brothers to be crowned champions. The game ended in a 4–1 win for Gokulam, giving the ''Malabarians'' their first I-league title and qualification for the [[AFC Cup]]. [[NEROCA FC|NEROCA]] finished bottom of the [[2020-21 I-League#Relegation Stage|Relegation Stage]] and were to relegated, but were reinstated by AIFF after the viewing the situation of [[Covid-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/sports/football/top-stories/aiff-likely-to-keep-relegation-on-hold-in-i-league/amp_articleshow/82306931.cms|title=AIFF likely to keep relegation on hold in I-League|date=29 April 2021|website=The Times of India}}</ref>
Throughout the [[2020-21 I-League#First Phase|First Phase]], Churchill Brothers kept its dominance with an unbeaten run of 11 games, while in the [[2020-21 I-League#Second Phase|Second Phase]], Gokulam Kerala, Churchill Brothers and TRAU traded the lead several times throughout the [[2020-21 I-League#Championship Stage (Group A)|Championship Stage]]. Entering the final matchday, Gokulam Kerala were ahead on goal difference. However, with the Gokulam and TRAU facing off, either team could claim the title with a win. A draw in the Gokulam Kerala–TRAU match and a win were needed for Churchill Brothers to be crowned champions. The game ended in a 4–1 win for Gokulam, giving the ''Malabarians'' their first I-league title and qualification for the [[AFC Cup]]. [[NEROCA FC|NEROCA]] finished bottom of the [[2020-21 I-League#Relegation Stage|Relegation Stage]] and were to relegated, but were reinstated by AIFF after the viewing the situation of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/aiff-likely-to-keep-relegation-on-hold-in-i-league/articleshow/82306931.cms|title=AIFF likely to keep relegation on hold in I-League|date=29 April 2021|website=The Times of India}}</ref>


==Changes from last season==
==Changes from last season==
===Changes in rules and regulations===
===Changes in rules and regulations===
*AIFF has implemented the '3+1' foreigners rule from this season. Under this rule, each club will be allowed to field a maximum of four foreign players and one of those four foreign players must be from an [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]] affiliated country.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Banerjee |first1=Debkalpa |title=ISL, I-League brace for upheaval as AIFF considers altering foreign player rules |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/isl-i-league-aiff-foreign-player-rules-change-6398508/ |access-date=19 June 2020 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=8 May 2020}}</ref>
*AIFF has implemented the '3+1' foreigners rule from this season. Under this rule, each club will be allowed to field a maximum of four foreign players and one of those four foreign players must be from an [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]] affiliated country.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Banerjee |first1=Debkalpa |title=ISL, I-League brace for upheaval as AIFF considers altering foreign player rules |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/isl-i-league-aiff-foreign-player-rules-change-6398508/ |access-date=19 June 2020 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=8 May 2020}}</ref>
*Due to [[COVID-19 pandemic]], this season's league format was shortened. All teams will face each other once in the first leg of the league, then they will be divided into two different groups. According to points table from first leg, top six teams will face each other once again in the [[2020-21 I-League#Championship|Championship stage]], where the team with most points (cumulative points collected from all fifteen matches) will be declared the winner of the league and qualify for the [[2022 AFC Cup|2022 AFC Cup group stage]]. The other five teams will play against each other in a [[2020-21 I-League#Relegation|Relegation stage]] where the team with the lowest points (cumulative points collected from all fourteen matches) will be relegated to the [[2020-21 I-League 2nd Division|2nd Division League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/hero-i-league-2020-21-to-start-on-january-9|title=Hero I-League 2020-21 to start on January 9 with a new shorter format|date=7 November 2020|website=the-aiff.com|language=en|access-date=7 November 2020}}</ref>
*Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], this season's league format was shortened. All teams will face each other once in the first leg of the league, then they will be divided into two different groups. According to points table from first leg, top six teams will face each other once again in the [[2020-21 I-League#Championship|Championship stage]], where the team with most points (cumulative points collected from all fifteen matches) will be declared the winner of the league and qualify for the [[2022 AFC Cup|2022 AFC Cup group stage]]. The other five teams will play against each other in a [[2020-21 I-League#Relegation|Relegation stage]] where the team with the lowest points (cumulative points collected from all fourteen matches) will be relegated to the [[2020-21 I-League 2nd Division|2nd Division League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/hero-i-league-2020-21-to-start-on-january-9|title=Hero I-League 2020-21 to start on January 9 with a new shorter format|date=7 November 2020|website=the-aiff.com|language=en|access-date=7 November 2020}}</ref>


===Number of clubs===
===Number of clubs===
[[All India Football Federation]] (AIFF) issued an invitation to accept bids for new clubs from non I-League cities, like [[Delhi]], [[Gangtok]], [[Ranchi]], [[Jaipur]], [[Jodhpur]], [[Mangalore]], [[Bhopal]], [[Lucknow]], [[Kanpur]], [[Ahmedabad]] and [[Calicut]] among many others, to join the league from 2020 onwards. The invitation mentioned that the entity which wins the bid will be granted the right to own and operate a new football club.<ref>{{cite news |title=AIFF invites bids for new clubs to join Hero I-League 2020 onwards |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-invites-bids-for-new-clubs-to-join-hero-i-league-2020-onwards |access-date=19 June 2020 |work=AIFF |date=5 June 2020}}</ref> On 12 August, AIFF announced that [[Sudeva Delhi FC|Sudeva]] of [[Delhi]] would join the league from this season and [[Sreenidi Deccan FC|Sreenidi Deccan]], which is based in [[Hyderabad]], will be playing from [[Visakhapatnam]] from the following season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sudeva and Sreenidhi granted playing rights in Hero I-League from 2020-21 and 2021-22 respectively|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/sudeva-and-sreenidhi-granted-playing-rights-in-hero-i-league-from-2020-21-and-2021-22-respectively|access-date=2020-08-12 |work=AIFF}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-12|title=Sudeva FC becomes first club from Delhi to play in I-League {{!}} Football News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/sudeva-fc-becomes-first-club-from-delhi-to-play-in-i-league/articleshow/77507451.cms|access-date=2020-08-12|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sreenidhi Football Club |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/club/12959 |access-date=13 August 2020 |work=AIFF}}</ref>
[[All India Football Federation]] (AIFF) issued an invitation to accept bids for new clubs from non I-League cities, like [[Delhi]], [[Gangtok]], [[Ranchi]], [[Jaipur]], [[Jodhpur]], [[Mangalore]], [[Bhopal]], [[Lucknow]], [[Kanpur]], [[Ahmedabad]] and [[Calicut]] among many others, to join the league from 2020 onwards. The invitation mentioned that the entity which wins the bid will be granted the right to own and operate a new football club.<ref>{{cite news |title=AIFF invites bids for new clubs to join Hero I-League 2020 onwards |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-invites-bids-for-new-clubs-to-join-hero-i-league-2020-onwards |access-date=19 June 2020 |work=AIFF |date=5 June 2020}}</ref> On 12 August, AIFF announced that [[Sudeva Delhi FC|Sudeva]] of [[Delhi]] would join the league from this season and [[Sreenidi Deccan FC|Sreenidi Deccan]], which is based in [[Hyderabad]], will be playing from [[Visakhapatnam]] from the following season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sudeva and Sreenidhi granted playing rights in Hero I-League from 2020-21 and 2021-22 respectively|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/sudeva-and-sreenidhi-granted-playing-rights-in-hero-i-league-from-2020-21-and-2021-22-respectively|access-date=2020-08-12 |work=AIFF}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-12|title=Sudeva FC becomes first club from Delhi to play in I-League |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/sudeva-fc-becomes-first-club-from-delhi-to-play-in-i-league/articleshow/77507451.cms|access-date=2020-08-12|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sreenidhi Football Club |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/club/12959 |access-date=13 August 2020 |work=AIFF}}</ref>


[[East Bengal Club|East Bengal]] and [[Mohun Bagan AC|Mohun Bagan]] moved to the [[Indian Super League]], when East Bengal joined the league as an expansion team, while [[Mohun Bagan AC|Mohun Bagan]] and [[ATK (football club)|ATK]], the champions of [[2019–20 Indian Super League season|2019–20 ISL season]], merged to play as [[ATK Mohun Bagan FC|ATK Mohun Bagan]] in the ISL.<ref>{{cite news |title=East Bengal to play in ISL 2020-21 - Mamata Banerjee|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/breaking-east-bengal-isl-2020-21-mamata-banerjee/1no4p7f42qcux1e0gk6vgnvtwv|access-date=9 September 2020|work=ISL |date=9 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/mohun-bagan-atk-merger-official-rpsg-group-majority-stake-isl-ileague-indian-football-news/article30576195.ece|title=Mohun Bagan, ATK announce merger; to play ISL next season|work=[[Sportstar]]|publisher=[[The Hindu]]|language=en|access-date=20 January 2020}}</ref>
[[East Bengal Club|East Bengal]] and [[Mohun Bagan AC|Mohun Bagan]] moved to the [[Indian Super League]], when East Bengal joined the league as an expansion team, while [[Mohun Bagan AC|Mohun Bagan]] and [[ATK (football club)|ATK]], the champions of [[2019–20 Indian Super League season|2019–20 ISL season]], merged to play as [[ATK Mohun Bagan FC|ATK Mohun Bagan]] in the ISL.<ref>{{cite news |title=East Bengal to play in ISL 2020-21 - Mamata Banerjee|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/breaking-east-bengal-isl-2020-21-mamata-banerjee/1no4p7f42qcux1e0gk6vgnvtwv|access-date=9 September 2020|work=ISL |date=9 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/mohun-bagan-atk-merger-official-rpsg-group-majority-stake-isl-ileague-indian-football-news/article30576195.ece|title=Mohun Bagan, ATK announce merger; to play ISL next season|work=[[Sportstar]]|date=16 January 2020 |publisher=[[The Hindu]]|language=en|access-date=20 January 2020}}</ref>


====Promoted clubs====
====Promoted clubs====
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==Teams==
==Teams==
{{location map+ |India|width=370
{{location map+ |India3|width=370
|float=right
|float=right
|alt=Locations of the I-League clubs
|alt=Locations of the I-League clubs
|caption=Locations of the I-League clubs
|caption=Locations of the I-League clubs
|places=
|places=
{{location map~ |India |lat=22.56972|long=88.36972|label={{nobreak|[[Mohammedan SC (Kolkata)|Mohammedan]]}}|position=left}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=22.56972|long=88.36972|label={{nowrap|[[Mohammedan SC (Kolkata)|Mohammedan]]}}|position=left}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=23.7271|long=92.7176|label={{nobreak|[[Aizawl F.C.|Aizawl]]}}|position=right}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=23.7271|long=92.7176|label={{nowrap|[[Aizawl F.C.|Aizawl]]}}|position=right}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=11.0168|long=76.9558|label={{nobreak|[[Chennai City F.C.|Chennai City]]}}|position=right}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=11.0168|long=76.9558|label={{nowrap|[[Chennai City F.C.|Chennai City]]}}|position=right}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=28.61 |long=77.23 |label={{nobreak|[[Sudeva Delhi FC|Sudeva Delhi]]}}|position=right}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=28.61 |long=77.23 |label={{nowrap|[[Sudeva Delhi FC|Sudeva Delhi]]}}|position=right}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=30.6942 |long=76.8606 |label={{nobreak|[[RoundGlass Punjab|Punjab]]}}|position=left}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=30.6942 |long=76.8606 |label={{nowrap|[[RoundGlass Punjab|Punjab]]}}|position=left}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=24.8170|long=93.9368|label='''Imphal'''|position=right}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=24.8170|long=93.9368|label='''Imphal'''|position=right}}
<!--DISPLAY OF IMPHAL TEAMS IN TOP RIGHT CORNER-->
<!--DISPLAY OF IMPHAL TEAMS IN TOP RIGHT CORNER-->
{{Location map~ |India |mark=TransparentPlaceholder.png |marksize=1 |lat=32.0 |long=92.0 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">'''Imphal teams'''<br>
{{Location map~ |India |mark=TransparentPlaceholder.png |marksize=1 |lat=32.0 |long=92.0 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">'''Imphal teams'''<br>
{{nobreak|[[NEROCA F.C.|NEROCA]]}}<br>
{{nowrap|[[NEROCA F.C.|NEROCA]]}}<br>
{{nobreak|[[TRAU F.C.|TRAU]]}}<br>
{{nowrap|[[TRAU F.C.|TRAU]]}}<br>
</div>
</div>
|position=right}}
|position=right}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=34.083656|long=74.797371|label={{nobreak|[[Real Kashmir F.C.|Real Kashmir]]}}|position=right}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=34.083656|long=74.797371|label={{nowrap|[[Real Kashmir F.C.|Real Kashmir]]}}|position=right}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=15.3860|long=73.8440|label= {{nobreak|[[Churchill Brothers S.C.|Churchill Brothers]]}}|position=right}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=15.3860|long=73.8440|label= {{nowrap|[[Churchill Brothers S.C.|Churchill Brothers]]}}|position=right}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=18.97500 |long=72.82583 |label=[[Indian Arrows]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=18.97500 |long=72.82583 |label=[[Indian Arrows]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=11.2588 |long=75.7804|label=[[Gokulam Kerala F.C.|Gokulam Kerala]]|position=left}}
{{location map~ |India |lat=11.2588 |long=75.7804|label=[[Gokulam Kerala F.C.|Gokulam Kerala]]|position=left}}
}}
⚫
}}<section end=map />

⚫
<section end="map" />
{{Maplink|text=Locations of the stadiums for I-league
{{Maplink|text=Locations of the stadiums for I-league
|frame-align=right|frame=yes
|frame-align=right|frame=yes
Line 85: Line 87:


=== Stadiums and locations ===
=== Stadiums and locations ===
Due to [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 pandemic]], all the matches will be played in a single venue. AIFF declared [[Kolkata]] as the venue on 14 August.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hero I-League and Hero 2nd division Qualifiers to be held in Kolkata|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/hero-i-league-and-hero-2nd-division-qualifiers-to-be-held-in-kolkata|access-date=2020-08-14|website=www.the-aiff.com}}</ref> Matches will be played in [[Salt Lake Stadium|Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan]], [[Kishore Bharati Krirangan]] and [[Mohun Bagan Ground]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fixtures Page {{!}} Hero I-League|url=https://i-league.org/fixtures-page/|access-date=2021-01-05|language=en-US}}</ref> in Kolkata, and [[Kalyani Stadium]] in [[Kalyani, West Bengal|Kalyani]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sudeva Delhi FC, Mohammedan SC to get Hero I-League 2020-21 underway on January 9|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/sudeva-delhi-fc-mohammedan-sc-to-get-hero-i-league-2020-21-underway-on-january-9|access-date=2020-12-09|website=www.the-aiff.com}}</ref>
Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 pandemic]], all the matches will be played in a single venue. AIFF declared [[Kolkata]] as the venue on 14 August.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hero I-League and Hero 2nd division Qualifiers to be held in Kolkata|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/hero-i-league-and-hero-2nd-division-qualifiers-to-be-held-in-kolkata|access-date=2020-08-14|website=www.the-aiff.com}}</ref> Matches will be played in [[Salt Lake Stadium|Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan]], [[Kishore Bharati Krirangan]] and [[Mohun Bagan Ground]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fixtures Page {{!}} Hero I-League|url=https://i-league.org/fixtures-page/|access-date=2021-01-05|language=en-US}}</ref> in Kolkata, and [[Kalyani Stadium]] in [[Kalyani, West Bengal|Kalyani]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sudeva Delhi FC, Mohammedan SC to get Hero I-League 2020-21 underway on January 9|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/sudeva-delhi-fc-mohammedan-sc-to-get-hero-i-league-2020-21-underway-on-january-9|access-date=2020-12-09|website=www.the-aiff.com}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Stadium
!Stadium
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|[[New Delhi]], [[Delhi]]
|[[New Delhi]], [[Delhi]]
|-
|-
|[[RoundGlass Punjab|Punjab]]
|[[RoundGlass Punjab]]
|[[Ludhiana]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]
|[[Ludhiana]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]
|}
|}
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!scope=row style="text-align: left;| [[Indian Arrows]]
!scope=row style="text-align: left;| [[Indian Arrows]]
| {{flagicon|IND}} [[Shanmugam Venkatesh]]
| {{flagicon|IND}} [[Shanmugam Venkatesh]]
| {{flagicon|IND}} [[Lalchhanhima Sailo]]
| {{flagicon|IND}} [[Lalchhanhima Sailo (footballer)|Lalchhanhima Sailo]]
| SIX5SIX<ref>{{cite web|title=NEW YEAR, NEW KIT FOR INDIAN FOOTBALL|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/new-year-new-kit-for-indian-football|date=19 December 2018|access-date=7 November 2020}}</ref>
| SIX5SIX<ref>{{cite web|title=NEW YEAR, NEW KIT FOR INDIAN FOOTBALL|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/new-year-new-kit-for-indian-football|date=19 December 2018|access-date=7 November 2020}}</ref>
| [[Hero MotoCorp]]
| [[Hero MotoCorp]]
Line 207: Line 209:
| {{flagicon|SCO}} [[David Robertson (footballer, born 1968)|David Robertson]]
| {{flagicon|SCO}} [[David Robertson (footballer, born 1968)|David Robertson]]
| {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Mason Robertson]]
| {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Mason Robertson]]
| [[Adidas]]<ref name="RK">{{cite web |title=Real Kashmir FC: Official Website|url=https://www.realkashmirfc.com/|publisher=[[Real Kashmir FC]]|access-date=13 December 2020}}</ref>
| [[Adidas]]<ref name="RK">{{cite web|title=Real Kashmir FC: Official Website|url=https://www.realkashmirfc.com/|publisher=[[Real Kashmir FC]]|access-date=13 December 2020|archive-date=12 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212201216/https://www.realkashmirfc.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Hotel CH2<ref name=RK/>
| Hotel CH2<ref name=RK/>
|-
|-
Line 271: Line 273:
| Mutual consent
| Mutual consent
| 18 January 2021
| 18 January 2021
| <ref name="m.timesofindia.com">{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/sports/football/i-league/aizawl-fc-part-ways-with-rozario/amp_articleshow/80341739.cms|title = Aizawl FC part ways with Rozario &#124; Football News - Times of India|website = [[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
| <ref name="The Times of India">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/aizawl-fc-part-ways-with-rozario/articleshow/80341739.cms|title = Aizawl FC part ways with Rozario &#124; Football News|website = [[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
| 10th
| 10th
| {{flagicon|IND}} [[Yan Law]]
| {{flagicon|IND}} [[Yan Law]]
| 19 January 2021
| 19 January 2021
| <ref name="m.timesofindia.com"/>
| <ref name="The Times of India"/>
|-
|-
!scope=row style="text-align: left;| [[Mohammedan SC (Kolkata)|Mohammedan]]
!scope=row style="text-align: left;| [[Mohammedan SC (Kolkata)|Mohammedan]]
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<!-- ADD PLAYERS NAMES WHEN OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED OTHERWISE REFRAIN FROM ADDING -->
<!-- ADD PLAYERS NAMES WHEN OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED OTHERWISE REFRAIN FROM ADDING -->


Minimum of three and maximum of four foreign players including one player from AFC—affiliated country per team.<ref>{{cite web |title=AIFF Implements '3+1' rule for I-League 2020-21 |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/football/article/aiff-change-i-league-foreign-players-rule-31-to-become-norm-from-2020-21-season/591767|publisher=[[Times Now]]|work=[[Indo-Asian News Service]]|access-date=14 May 2020}}</ref> Indian Arrows cannot sign any foreign players as they are a part of AIFF's developmental program. The newly joined team, [[Sudeva Delhi FC|Sudeva Delhi]] will field an all-Indian squad for its debut I-League season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sudeva to field an all-Indian team in Hero I-League 2020-21, confirms President Anuj Gupta|url=https://i-league.org/sudeva-to-field-an-all-indian-team-in-hero-i-league-2020-21-confirms-president-anuj-gupta/|website=i-league.org|access-date=23 August 2020}}</ref>
Minimum of three and maximum of four foreign players including one player from AFC—affiliated country per team.<ref>{{cite web |title=AIFF Implements '3+1' rule for I-League 2020-21 |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/football/article/aiff-change-i-league-foreign-players-rule-31-to-become-norm-from-2020-21-season/591767|publisher=[[Times Now]]|work=[[Indo-Asian News Service]]|date=14 May 2020 |access-date=14 May 2020}}</ref> Indian Arrows cannot sign any foreign players as they are a part of AIFF's developmental program. The newly joined team, [[Sudeva Delhi FC|Sudeva Delhi]] will field an all-Indian squad for its debut I-League season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sudeva to field an all-Indian team in Hero I-League 2020-21, confirms President Anuj Gupta|url=https://i-league.org/sudeva-to-field-an-all-indian-team-in-hero-i-league-2020-21-confirms-president-anuj-gupta/|website=i-league.org|access-date=23 August 2020}}</ref>

* Players name in '''bold''' indicates the players who are capped for their respective national team.
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
|-
Line 303: Line 305:
!scope=col width="200"|Player 3
!scope=col width="200"|Player 3
!scope=col width="200"|AFC Player
!scope=col width="200"|AFC Player
!scope=col width="200"|Former Player
!scope=col width="200"|Former Player(s)
|-
|-
!scope=row style="text-align: left;| [[Aizawl F.C.|Aizawl]]
!scope=row style="text-align: left;| [[Aizawl F.C.|Aizawl]]
Line 309: Line 311:
| -
| -
| -
| -
| {{flagicon|NEP}} '''[[Abhishek Rijal]]'''
| {{flagicon|NEP}} [[Abhishek Rijal]]
| {{flagicon|NGR}} [[Princewill Emeka]]<br /> {{flagicon|UGA}} '''[[Richard Kasagga]]'''
| {{flagicon|NGR}} [[Princewill Emeka]]<br /> {{flagicon|UGA}} [[Richard Kasagga]]
|-
|-
!scope=row style="text-align: left;| [[Chennai City F.C.|Chennai City]]
!scope=row style="text-align: left;| [[Chennai City F.C.|Chennai City]]
Line 316: Line 318:
| {{flagicon|SER}} [[Demir Avdić]]
| {{flagicon|SER}} [[Demir Avdić]]
| {{flagicon|SER}} [[Elvedin Škrijelj]]
| {{flagicon|SER}} [[Elvedin Škrijelj]]
| {{flagicon|SIN}} '''[[Iqbal Hussain]]'''
| {{flagicon|SIN}} [[Iqbal Hussain]]
|
|
|-
|-
Line 329: Line 331:
| {{flagicon|GHA}} [[Philip Adjah]]
| {{flagicon|GHA}} [[Philip Adjah]]
| {{flagicon|GHA}} [[Denny Antwi]]
| {{flagicon|GHA}} [[Denny Antwi]]
| {{flagicon|GHA}} '''[[Mohamed Awal]]'''
| {{flagicon|GHA}} [[Mohamed Awal]]
| {{flagicon|AFG|2013}} '''[[Sharif Mukhammad]]'''
| {{flagicon|AFG|2013}} [[Sharif Mukhammad]]
|
|
|-
|-
Line 337: Line 339:
| {{flagicon|NGR}} John Chidi
| {{flagicon|NGR}} John Chidi
| {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Pedro Manzi]]
| {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Pedro Manzi]]
| {{flagicon|BAN}} '''[[Jamal Bhuyan]]'''
| {{flagicon|BAN}} [[Jamal Bhuyan]]
| {{flagicon|GHA}} [[Mohammed Fatau]] <br /> {{flagicon|NGA}} Raphael Onwrebe
| {{flagicon|GHA}} [[Mohammed Fatau]] <br /> {{flagicon|NGA}} Raphael Onwrebe
|-
|-
!scope=row style="text-align: left;| [[NEROCA F.C.|NEROCA]]
!scope=row style="text-align: left;| [[NEROCA F.C.|NEROCA]]
| {{flagicon|LBR}} '''[[Varney Kallon]]'''
| {{flagicon|LBR}} [[Varney Kallon]]
| {{flagicon|TRI}} '''[[Nathaniel Garcia]]'''
| {{flagicon|TRI}} [[Nathaniel Garcia]]
| {{flagicon|TRI}} '''[[Judah Garcia]]'''
| {{flagicon|TRI}} [[Judah Garcia]]
| {{flagicon|NEP}} '''[[Prakash Budhathoki]]'''
| {{flagicon|NEP}} [[Prakash Budhathoki]]
|
|
|-
|-
!scope=row style="text-align: left;| [[Punjab F.C.|Punjab]]
!scope=row style="text-align: left;| [[Punjab F.C.|Punjab]]
| {{flagicon|BHU}} '''[[Chencho Gyeltshen]]'''
| {{flagicon|BHU}} [[Chencho Gyeltshen]]
| {{flagicon|Senegal}} [[Baba Diawara]]
| {{flagicon|Senegal}} [[Baba Diawara]]
| {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Joseba Beitia]]
| {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Joseba Beitia]]
| {{flagicon|NEP}} '''[[Kiran Chemjong]]'''
| {{flagicon|NEP}} [[Kiran Chemjong]]
| {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Danilo Quipapá]]
| {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Danilo Quipapá]]
|-
|-
Line 358: Line 360:
| {{flagicon|NGR}} [[Lukman Adefemi]]
| {{flagicon|NGR}} [[Lukman Adefemi]]
| {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Mason Robertson]]
| {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Mason Robertson]]
| {{flagicon|AFG|2013}} '''[[Zohib Islam Amiri]]'''
| {{flagicon|AFG|2013}} [[Zohib Islam Amiri]]
|
|
|-
|-
Line 365: Line 367:
| {{flagicon|NGR}} [[Joseph Olaleye]]
| {{flagicon|NGR}} [[Joseph Olaleye]]
| {{flagicon|BRA}} Bruno Rodrigues
| {{flagicon|BRA}} Bruno Rodrigues
| {{flagicon|TJK}} '''[[Komron Tursunov]]'''
| {{flagicon|TJK}} [[Komron Tursunov]]
|
|
|}
|}
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{{:2020–21 I-League}}
{{:2020–21 I-League}}
-->{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL
-->{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL
|show_groups=no
|show_groups=no
⚫
|update = complete
|source=[https://i-league.org/points-table/i-league/ I-League]
|source=[https://i-league.org/points-table/i-league/ I-League]

<!--Update team positions here-->
<!--Update team positions here-->
|team3=REK
|team3=REK
Line 388: Line 392:
|team9=CNC
|team9=CNC
|team11=IDA
|team11=IDA

<!--Update team results here and then (if needed positions above)-->
<!--Update team results here and then (if needed positions above)-->
⚫
|update = 1 March 2021
|win_AIZ=4 |draw_AIZ=3 |loss_AIZ=3 |gf_AIZ=13 |ga_AIZ=8 <!-- Aizawl -->
|win_AIZ=4 |draw_AIZ=3 |loss_AIZ=3 |gf_AIZ=13 |ga_AIZ=8 <!-- Aizawl -->
|win_CNC=3 |draw_CNC=0 |loss_CNC=7 |gf_CNC=7 |ga_CNC=19 <!-- Chennai City -->
|win_CNC=3 |draw_CNC=0 |loss_CNC=7 |gf_CNC=7 |ga_CNC=19 <!-- Chennai City -->
Line 414: Line 418:
|name_SDA=[[Sudeva Delhi FC|Sudeva Delhi]]
|name_SDA=[[Sudeva Delhi FC|Sudeva Delhi]]
|name_TRA=[[TRAU FC|TRAU]]
|name_TRA=[[TRAU FC|TRAU]]

<!--Update team qualifications here (defined below)-->
<!--Update team qualifications here (defined below)-->
|result1=QC|result2=QC|result3=QC|result4=QC|result5=QC|result6=QC
|result1=QC|result2=QC|result3=QC|result4=QC|result5=QC|result6=QC
|result7=REL|result8=REL|result9=REL|result10=REL|result11=REL
|result7=REL|result8=REL|result9=REL|result10=REL|result11=REL

<!--Table settings and rules-->
<!--Table settings and rules-->
|show_limit=5
|show_limit=5
|class_rules=1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots
|class_rules=1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots

<!--Qualification and relegation column definitions-->
<!--Qualification and relegation column definitions-->
|res_col_header=QR
|res_col_header=QR
Line 432: Line 439:
{{#invoke:sports results|main
{{#invoke:sports results|main
|source = [https://i-league.org/fixtures-page/i-league/ I-League]
|source = [https://i-league.org/fixtures-page/i-league/ I-League]
|update = 1 March 2021
|update = complete
|matches_style = FBR
|matches_style = FBR


Line 816: Line 823:
<!--Update team qualifications here (defined below)-->
<!--Update team qualifications here (defined below)-->
|note_NER=[[NEROCA F.C.|NEROCA]] were relegated, but were reinstated by AIFF after the viewing the situation of [[Covid-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/sports/football/top-stories/aiff-likely-to-keep-relegation-on-hold-in-i-league/amp_articleshow/82306931.cms|title=AIFF likely to keep relegation on hold in I-League|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=29 April 2021}}</ref>
|note_NER=[[NEROCA F.C.|NEROCA]] were relegated, but were reinstated by AIFF after the viewing the situation of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/aiff-likely-to-keep-relegation-on-hold-in-i-league/articleshow/82306931.cms|title=AIFF likely to keep relegation on hold in I-League|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=29 April 2021}}</ref>
|note_SDA=[[Sudeva Delhi FC|Sudeva Delhi]] were exempted from relegation for this season, as they had achieved a direct entry into the league.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sudeva FC wins bid for direct entry into the I-League - All you need to know {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/i-league-sudeva-fc-indian-football-bid-direct-entry/1io5mxr5jcxez19kjlzufx7fc2|access-date=2021-03-01|website=www.goal.com}}</ref>
|note_SDA=[[Sudeva Delhi FC|Sudeva Delhi]] were exempted from relegation for this season, as they had achieved a direct entry into the league.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sudeva FC wins bid for direct entry into the I-League - All you need to know {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/i-league-sudeva-fc-indian-football-bid-direct-entry/1io5mxr5jcxez19kjlzufx7fc2|access-date=2021-03-01|website=www.goal.com}}</ref>
|note_IDA=[[Indian Arrows]] were exempted from relegation, as they are an AIFF developmental team.
|note_IDA=[[Indian Arrows]] were exempted from relegation, as they are an AIFF developmental team.
Line 824: Line 831:


|update = complete
|update = complete
<!--Qualification and relegation column definitions-->
<!--Qualification and relegation column definitions-->
|col_ACPO=red3 |text_ACPO='''Withdrew'''
}}
}}


Line 1,566: Line 1,574:
<!-- Inline citations added to your article will automatically display here. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:REFB for instructions on how to add citations. -->
<!-- Inline citations added to your article will automatically display here. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:REFB for instructions on how to add citations. -->
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

{{I-League}}
{{I-League}}
{{Indian football league seasons}}
{{2020–21 in Indian football}}
{{2020–21 in Indian football}}
{{2020 in Asian football (AFC)}}
{{2020 in Asian football (AFC)}}

Latest revision as of 16:24, 10 November 2024

Hero I-League
Season2020–21
Dates9 January – 27 March 2021
ChampionsGokulam Kerala
1st I-League title
1st Indian title
AFC CupGokulam Kerala
Matches played80
Goals scored216 (2.7 per match)
Top goalscorerBidyashagar Singh
(12 goals)
Best goalkeeperKiran Chemjong
(105 mins per goal)
Highest scoringIndian Arrows 2–5 Churchill Brothers
(10 January 2021)
Gokulam Kerala 4–3 Punjab
(14 January 2021)
Real Kashmir 4–3 NEROCA
(13 February 2021)
Longest winning runTRAU
(5 games)
Longest unbeaten runChurchill Brothers
(11 games)
Longest winless runIndian Arrows
(7 games)
Longest losing runNEROCA
(6 games)

The 2020–21 I-League (known as the Hero I-League for sponsorship reasons) was the 14th season of the I-League, one of the top tier Indian professional football leagues, since its establishment in 2007. The tournament was hosted in bio-secure bubble across four venues in Kolkata due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation in India.

Mohun Bagan was declared the champion of the 2019–20 season after the cancellation of matches due to the COVID-19 pandemic, since the second placed team could not catch up even if all 20 games were completed.[1] However, following Mohun Bagan's merger with Indian Super League (ISL) club ATK, the club began competing in the ISL from the 2020–21 ISL season.[2]

Throughout the First Phase, Churchill Brothers kept its dominance with an unbeaten run of 11 games, while in the Second Phase, Gokulam Kerala, Churchill Brothers and TRAU traded the lead several times throughout the Championship Stage. Entering the final matchday, Gokulam Kerala were ahead on goal difference. However, with the Gokulam and TRAU facing off, either team could claim the title with a win. A draw in the Gokulam Kerala–TRAU match and a win were needed for Churchill Brothers to be crowned champions. The game ended in a 4–1 win for Gokulam, giving the Malabarians their first I-league title and qualification for the AFC Cup. NEROCA finished bottom of the Relegation Stage and were to relegated, but were reinstated by AIFF after the viewing the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.[3]

Changes from last season

[edit]

Changes in rules and regulations

[edit]
  • AIFF has implemented the '3+1' foreigners rule from this season. Under this rule, each club will be allowed to field a maximum of four foreign players and one of those four foreign players must be from an AFC affiliated country.[4]
  • Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this season's league format was shortened. All teams will face each other once in the first leg of the league, then they will be divided into two different groups. According to points table from first leg, top six teams will face each other once again in the Championship stage, where the team with most points (cumulative points collected from all fifteen matches) will be declared the winner of the league and qualify for the 2022 AFC Cup group stage. The other five teams will play against each other in a Relegation stage where the team with the lowest points (cumulative points collected from all fourteen matches) will be relegated to the 2nd Division League.[5]

Number of clubs

[edit]

All India Football Federation (AIFF) issued an invitation to accept bids for new clubs from non I-League cities, like Delhi, Gangtok, Ranchi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Mangalore, Bhopal, Lucknow, Kanpur, Ahmedabad and Calicut among many others, to join the league from 2020 onwards. The invitation mentioned that the entity which wins the bid will be granted the right to own and operate a new football club.[6] On 12 August, AIFF announced that Sudeva of Delhi would join the league from this season and Sreenidi Deccan, which is based in Hyderabad, will be playing from Visakhapatnam from the following season.[7][8][9]

East Bengal and Mohun Bagan moved to the Indian Super League, when East Bengal joined the league as an expansion team, while Mohun Bagan and ATK, the champions of 2019–20 ISL season, merged to play as ATK Mohun Bagan in the ISL.[10][11]

[edit]

Promoted from the 2019–20 2nd Division League

Relegated clubs

[edit]

Relegated from the 2019–20 I-League

  • None

Teams

[edit]
class=notpageimage|
Locations of the I-League clubs


Map
Locations of the stadiums for I-league


Stadiums and locations

[edit]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all the matches will be played in a single venue. AIFF declared Kolkata as the venue on 14 August.[13] Matches will be played in Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kishore Bharati Krirangan and Mohun Bagan Ground[14] in Kolkata, and Kalyani Stadium in Kalyani.[15]

Stadium Capacity Location
Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan 85,000 Salt Lake, Kolkata
Kishore Bharati Krirangan 12,000 Jadavpore, Kolkata
Mohun Bagan Ground 20,000 Maidan, Kolkata
Kalyani Municipal Stadium 20,000 Kalyani, Nadia
Team Location
Aizawl Aizawl, Mizoram
Chennai City Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Churchill Brothers Margao, Goa
Gokulam Kerala Calicut, Kerala
Indian Arrows Mumbai, Maharashtra
Mohammedan Kolkata, West Bengal
NEROCA Imphal, Manipur
Real Kashmir Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
TRAU Imphal, Manipur
Sudeva Delhi New Delhi, Delhi
RoundGlass Punjab Ludhiana, Punjab

Personnel and sponsorship

[edit]
Team Head coach Captain Kit Manufacturer Shirt Sponsor
Aizawl India Yan Law Liberia Alfred Jaryan Vamos[16] NECS Limited[17]
Chennai City Singapore Satyasagara India Charles Anandraj Nivia Sports[18] TVS Group
Churchill Brothers Spain Fernando Santiago Varela Ivory Coast Bazie Armand Nivia Sports[18] Churchill
Gokulam Kerala Italy Vincenzo Alberto Annese Ghana Mohamed Awal SEGA[19] Sree Gokulam Group[20]
Indian Arrows India Shanmugam Venkatesh India Lalchhanhima Sailo SIX5SIX[21] Hero MotoCorp
Mohammedan India Sankarlal Chakraborty Nigeria Kingsley Obumneme Trak Only[22] BunkerHill Sports[23]
NEROCA India Gift Raikhan India Bishorjit Loitongbam Ambition Sportswear[24] Grow Manipur Team[25]
Punjab Republic of Ireland Curtis Fleming India Bikramjit Singh T10 Sports[26] RoundGlass Sports[27]
Real Kashmir Scotland David Robertson Scotland Mason Robertson Adidas[28] Hotel CH2[28]
Sudeva Delhi Bhutan Chencho Dorji India Ajay Singh Puma[29] Liquid Life[30]
TRAU India Nandakumar Singh India Phalguni Konsam Romi Bag[31] HVS Foundation

Head coaching changes

[edit]
Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Ref. Position in table Incoming coach Date of appointment Ref.
Gokulam Kerala Spain Fernando Santiago Varela End of contract 17 August 2020 [32] Pre-season Italy Vincenzo Alberto Annese 19 August 2020 [33]
Churchill Brothers India Mateus Costa End of interim period 23 September 2020 [34] Spain Fernando Santiago Varela 23 September 2020 [34]
Chennai City Singapore Akbar Nawas Mutual consent 26 October 2020 [35] Singapore Satyasagara 10 December 2020 [36]
Aizawl India Stanley Rozario Mutual consent 18 January 2021 [37] 10th India Yan Law 19 January 2021 [37]
Mohammedan Spain José Hevia Mutual consent 19 February 2021 [38] 7th India Sankarlal Chakraborty 19 February 2021 [39]

Transfers

[edit]
Further information: List of 2020–21 I-League season roster changes

Foreign players

[edit]

Minimum of three and maximum of four foreign players including one player from AFC—affiliated country per team.[40] Indian Arrows cannot sign any foreign players as they are a part of AIFF's developmental program. The newly joined team, Sudeva Delhi will field an all-Indian squad for its debut I-League season.[41]

Team Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 AFC Player Former Player(s)
Aizawl Liberia Alfred Jaryan - - Nepal Abhishek Rijal Nigeria Princewill Emeka
Uganda Richard Kasagga
Chennai City Serbia Vladimir Molerović Serbia Demir Avdić Serbia Elvedin Škrijelj Singapore Iqbal Hussain
Churchill Brothers Honduras Clayvin Zuniga Ivory Coast Bazie Armand Slovenia Luka Majcen Lebanon Hamza Kheir
Gokulam Kerala Ghana Philip Adjah Ghana Denny Antwi Ghana Mohamed Awal Afghanistan Sharif Mukhammad
Mohammedan Nigeria Kingsley Obumneme Nigeria John Chidi Spain Pedro Manzi Bangladesh Jamal Bhuyan Ghana Mohammed Fatau
Nigeria Raphael Onwrebe
NEROCA Liberia Varney Kallon Trinidad and Tobago Nathaniel Garcia Trinidad and Tobago Judah Garcia Nepal Prakash Budhathoki
Punjab Bhutan Chencho Gyeltshen Senegal Baba Diawara Spain Joseba Beitia Nepal Kiran Chemjong Brazil Danilo Quipapá
Real Kashmir Cameroon Aser Pierrick Dipanda Nigeria Lukman Adefemi Scotland Mason Robertson Afghanistan Zohib Islam Amiri
TRAU Brazil Helder Lobato Nigeria Joseph Olaleye Brazil Bruno Rodrigues Tajikistan Komron Tursunov

First phase

[edit]

Standings

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Churchill Brothers 10 6 4 0 15 6 +9 22 Promote to Championship Stage (Group A)
2 Punjab 10 5 3 2 12 7 +5 18
3 Real Kashmir 10 4 5 1 18 9 +9 17
4 Gokulam Kerala 10 5 1 4 20 14 +6 16
5 TRAU 10 4 4 2 17 13 +4 16
6 Mohammedan 10 4 4 2 9 8 +1 16
7 Aizawl 10 4 3 3 13 8 +5 15 Demote to Relegation Stage (Group B)
8 Sudeva Delhi 10 2 3 5 11 11 0 9
9 Chennai City 10 3 0 7 7 19 −12 9
10 NEROCA 10 2 2 6 13 15 −2 8
11 Indian Arrows 10 1 1 8 6 31 −25 4
Source: I-League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots


Fixtures and results

[edit]

All matches were played at neutral venues. The "home" and "away" are designated for administrative purposes.

Home \ Away CHB PUN REK GOK TRAU MDS AIZ SDA CNC NER IDA
Churchill Brothers — — 0–0 — 1–1 — 0–0 2–0 — 1–0 —
Punjab 0–1 — — — — 0–0 1–0 0–0 2–0 — —
Real Kashmir — 1–1 — — 1–1 — — 1–1 — 4–3 6–0
Gokulam Kerala 2–3 4–3 0–0 — — — — — 1–2 — 4–0
TRAU — 0–2 — 1–3 — 2–2 1–0 — 2–0 — —
Mohammedan 0–0 — 2–0 2–1 — — — — 2–1 0–0 —
Aizawl — — 1–3 2–0 — 3–0 — 1–1 — — 1–1
Sudeva Delhi — — — 0–1 2–3 0–1 — — — 0–2 3–0
Chennai City 1–2 — 0–2 — — — 0–3 0–4 — — 1–0
NEROCA — 0–1 — 1–4 1–1 — 1–2 — 1–2 — —
Indian Arrows 2–5 1–2 — — 1–5 1–0 — — — 0–4 —
Source: I-League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Positions by matchday

[edit]

The table lists the positions of teams after each round mentioned in official fixtures.[42]

Matchday1234567891011
Aizawl910673488577
Chennai City279107699999
Churchill Brothers11111113111
Gokulam Kerala851034694434
Indian Arrows1111111111111111111111
Mohammedan33346745766
NEROCA794610101010101010
Punjab46899521242
Real Kashmir52255232323
Sudeva Delhi104588377888
TRAU68722856655
Promotion to Championship stage (Group A)
Demotion to Relegation stage (Group B)
Source: I-League

Results by games

[edit]
Match12345678910
AizawlLWDWDLDWLW
Chennai CityWLLWLWLLLL
Churchill BrothersWDWWDDDWWW
Gokulam KeralaLWLWDLWWWL
Indian ArrowsLLLDLLLWLL
MohammedanWDDDDWLLWW
NEROCADWLLDLLWLL
PunjabWLLDDWWWDW
Real KashmirDWDDWDWDWL
Sudeva DelhiLWDLDWDLLL
TRAUDDDWDLWLWW
Source: I-League
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Second phase

[edit]

Championship stage (Group A)

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Gokulam Kerala 15 9 2 4 31 17 +14 29 Champions and Qualification for 2022 AFC Cup group stage
2 Churchill Brothers 15 8 5 2 22 17 +5 29
3 TRAU 15 7 5 3 27 19 +8 26
4 Punjab 15 6 4 5 18 15 +3 22
5 Real Kashmir 15 5 6 4 23 18 +5 21
6 Mohammedan 15 5 5 5 18 20 −2 20
Source: I-League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots

Fixtures and results

[edit]

All matches were played at neutral venues. The "home" and "away" are designated for administrative purposes.

Home \ Away CHB GOK MDS PUN REK TRAU
Churchill Brothers — 0–3 1–4 3–2 — —
Gokulam Kerala — — — — 1–1 4–1
Mohammedan — 1–2 — — — 0–4
Punjab — 0–1 3–3 — 1–0 —
Real Kashmir 1–2 — 2–1 — — 1–3
TRAU 1–1 — — 1–0 — —
Source: I-League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Positions by matchday

[edit]

The table lists the positions of teams after each round mentioned in official fixtures.

Matchday12345
Churchill Brothers11232
Gokulam Kerala32311
Mohammedan66456
Punjab44544
Real Kashmir55665
TRAU23123
Source: I-League

Results by games

[edit]
Source: I-League
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Relegation stage (Group B)

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Aizawl 14 7 3 4 21 12 +9 24
2 Sudeva Delhi[a] 14 5 3 6 16 14 +2 18
3 Chennai City 14 5 0 9 16 25 −9 15
4 Indian Arrows[b] 14 3 1 10 11 38 −27 10
5 NEROCA[c] 14 2 2 10 14 22 −8 8
Source: I-League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots
Notes:
  1. ^ Sudeva Delhi were exempted from relegation for this season, as they had achieved a direct entry into the league.[43]
  2. ^ Indian Arrows were exempted from relegation, as they are an AIFF developmental team.
  3. ^ NEROCA were relegated, but were reinstated by AIFF after the viewing the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.[44]

Fixtures and results

[edit]

All matches were played at neutral venues. The "home" and "away" are designated for administrative purposes.

Home \ Away AIZ NER SDA CNC IDA
Aizawl — — 2–1 — 1–2
NEROCA 0–1 — — 1–2 —
Sudeva Delhi — 1–0 — — 1–0
Chennai City 1–3 — 1–2 — —
Indian Arrows — 3–0 — 0–5 —
Source: I-League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Positions by matchday

[edit]

The table lists the positions of teams after each round mentioned in official fixtures.

Matchday12345
Aizawl11111
Chennai City33333
Indian Arrows55444
NEROCA44555
Sudeva Delhi22222
Source: I-League

Results by games

[edit]
Source: I-League
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Final standings

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Gokulam Kerala (C) 15 9 2 4 31 17 +14 29
2 Churchill Brothers 15 8 5 2 22 17 +5 29
3 TRAU 15 7 5 3 27 19 +8 26
4 Punjab 15 6 4 5 18 15 +3 22
5 Real Kashmir 15 5 6 4 23 18 +5 21
6 Mohammedan 15 5 5 5 18 20 −2 20
7 Aizawl 14 7 3 4 21 12 +9 24
8 Sudeva Delhi 14 5 3 6 16 14 +2 18
9 Chennai City 14 5 0 9 16 25 −9 15
10 Indian Arrows 14 3 1 10 11 38 −27 10
11 NEROCA 14 2 2 10 14 22 −8 8
Source: I-League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) drawing of lots
(C) Champions

Season statistics

[edit]

Scoring

[edit]
As of 27 March 2021

Top scorers

[edit]

The table includes only the top 10 goalscorers of this season.

Rank Player Club Goals
1 India Bidyashagar Singh TRAU 12
2 Slovenia Luka Majcen Churchill Brothers 11
Ghana Denny Antwi Gokulam Kerala
4 Honduras Clayvin Zuniga Churchill Brothers 8
5 Bhutan Chencho Gyeltshen Punjab 7
6 Tajikistan Komron Tursunov TRAU 6
Scotland Mason Robertson Real Kashmir
Spain Pedro Manzi Mohammedan
Nigeria Lukman Adefemi Real Kashmir
10 Ghana Philip Adjah Gokulam Kerala 5
Source: I-League

Top Indian scorers

[edit]

The table includes only the list of top Indian goalscorers with more than 2 goals in this season.

Rank Player Club Goals
1 Bidyasagar Singh TRAU 12
2 MC Malsawmzuala Aizawl 3
Lalremsanga Fanai Aizawl
William Pauliankhum Sudeva Delhi
Harsh Patre Indian Arrows
Vineeth Velmurugan Chennai City
Konsam Phalguni Singh TRAU
Brandon Vanlalremdika Aizawl
Kean Lewis Sudeva Delhi
Danish Farooq Bhat Real Kashmir
Emil Benny Gokulam Kerala
Songpu Singsit NEROCA
Source: I-League

Top assists

[edit]

The table includes only the top 10 assist providers of the season.

Rank Player Club Assists
1 Ghana Denny Antwi Gokulam Kerala 7
2 Tajikistan Komron Tursunov TRAU 6
3 India Sena Ralte Real Kashmir 5
4 Nigeria Joseph Olaleye TRAU 4
India Tirthankar Sarkar Mohammedan
India Deepak Devrani Gokulam Kerala
7 India Songpu Singsit NEROCA 3
Slovenia Luka Majcen Churchill Brothers
Trinidad and Tobago Nathaniel Garcia NEROCA
India Bryce Miranda Churchill Brothers
Source: Global Sports Archive

Hat-tricks

[edit]
Player Club Against Goals Date
India Bidyashagar Singh TRAU Mohammedan 3 5 March 2021
Real Kashmir 10 March 2021
Honduras Clayvin Zuniga Churchill Brothers Indian Arrows 3 10 January 2021
Nigeria Lukman Adefemi Real Kashmir NEROCA 3 13 February 2021

Clean Sheets

[edit]
As of 21 March 2021

The table includes only the list of top goalkeepers with more than 1 cleansheet in this season.

Rank Player Club Clean
sheets
1 Nepal Kiran Chemjong Punjab 7
2 India Mithun Samanta Real Kashmir 5
India Rakshit Dagar Sudeva Delhi
4 India Shibinraj Kunniyil Churchill Brothers 4
India Ubaid Kadavath Gokulam Kerala
6 India Subham Roy Mohammedan 3
India Lalmuansanga Aizawl
India Bishorjit Singh NEROCA
9 India Shilton Paul Churchill Brothers 2
India Ahan Prakash Indian Arrows
India Amrit Gope TRAU
India Zothanmawia Aizawl
Source: I-League

Discipline

[edit]
As of 27 March 2021

Awards

[edit]
  • Match 1 - Match 55 = First Phase
  • Match 56 - Match 80 = Second Phase

Hero of the Match

[edit]
Match No. Hero of the Match Match No. Hero of the Match Match No. Hero of the Match
Player Club Player Club Player Club
Match 1 India Faisal Ali Mohammedan Match 28 India Lalmuansanga Aizawl Match 55 Nepal Kiran Kumar Limbu Punjab
Match 2 India Pritam Singh Punjab Match 29 Cameroon Dipanda Dicka Real Kashmir Match 56 India Suresh Meitei Churchill Brothers
Match 3 India Vijay Nagappan Chennai City Match 30 Bhutan Chencho Gyeltshen Punjab Match 57 India Bidyashagar Singh TRAU
Match 4 Brazil Helder Lobato Ribeiro TRAU Match 31 India Asheer Akhtar Mohammedan Match 58 Ghana Denny Antwi Gokulam Kerala
Match 5 Honduras Clayvin Zuniga Churchill Brothers Match 32 India Shilton Paul Churchill Brothers Match 59 India Sairuat Kima Sudeva Delhi
Match 6 Ghana Denny Antwi Gokulam Kerala Match 33 India Shankar Sampingiraj Chennai City Match 60 India Halen Nongtdu Indian Arrows
Match 7 India Kean Lewis Sudeva Delhi Match 34 Senegal Baba Diawara Punjab Match 61 Bhutan Chencho Gyeltshen Punjab
Match 8 India Bryce Miranda Churchill Brothers Match 35 India Amrit Gope TRAU Match 62 India Bidyashagar Singh TRAU
Match 9 Cameroon Dipanda Dicka Real Kashmir Match 36 India Emil Benny Gokulam Kerala Match 63 Ghana Denny Antwi Gokulam Kerala
Match 10 India Yumkhaibam Singh NEROCA Match 37 Nepal Kiran Kumar Limbu Punjab Match 64 India Lalliansanga Aizawl
Match 11 Lebanon Hamza Kheir Churchill Brothers Match 38 NigeriaLukman Adefemi Real Kashmir Match 65 India Jockson Dhas Chennai City
Match 12 Tajikistan Komron Tursunov TRAU Match 39 India Ahan Prakash Indian Arrows Match 66 India Naocha Singh Gokulam Kerala
Match 13 India Shaiborlang Kharpan Sudeva Delhi Match 40 India Rakshit Dagar Sudeva Delhi Match 67 Tajikistan Komron Tursunov TRAU
Match 14 India MC Malsawmzuala Aizawl Match 41 India R Malsawmtluanga Aizawl Match 68 Spain Pedro Manzi Mohammedan
Match 15 Trinidad and Tobago Judah Garcia NEROCA Match 42 Cameroon Dipanda Dicka Real Kashmir Match 69 India Parthib Gogoi Indian Arrows
Match 16 India Bidyashagar Singh TRAU Match 43 Slovenia Luka Majcen Churchill Brothers Match 70 India Gursimrat Singh Gill Sudeva Delhi
Match 17 India Sajad Hussain Parray Indian Arrows Match 44 India Bishorjit Singh NEROCA Match 71 India Shubho Paul Sudeva Delhi
Match 18 India Ruivah Hormipam Punjab Match 45 India Vincy Barretto Gokulam Kerala Match 72 India Brandon Vanlalremdika Aizawl
Match 19 Slovenia Luka Majcen Churchill Brothers Match 46 Scotland Mason Robertson Real Kashmir Match 73 India Konsam Phalguni Singh TRAU
Match 20 Ghana Philip Adjah Gokulam Kerala Match 47 India Vincy Barretto Gokulam Kerala Match 74 Ghana Denny Antwi Gokulam Kerala
Match 21 Nepal Kiran Chemjong Punjab Match 48 India Suraj Rawat Mohammedan Match 75 Bhutan Chencho Gyeltshen Punjab
Match 22 Serbia Elvedin Škrijelj Chennai City Match 49 Honduras Clayvin Zuniga Churchill Brothers Match 76 Serbia Vladimir Molerović Chennai City
Match 23 India Bidyashagar Singh TRAU Match 50 Tajikistan Komron Tursunov TRAU Match 77 India Rohmingthanga Bawlte Aizawl
Match 24 India PC Laldinpuia Aizawl Match 51 Spain Pedro Manzi Mohammedan Match 78 India Dharmaraj Ravanan Real Kashmir
Match 25 India Emil Benny Gokulam Kerala Match 52 India Konsam Phalguni Singh TRAU Match 79 India Emil Benny Gokulam Kerala
Match 26 India Ngangbam Naocha Sudeva Delhi Match 53 India Lalmuansanga Aizawl Match 80 Honduras Clayvin Zuniga Churchill Brothers
Match 27 India Subham Roy Mohammedan Match 54 Slovenia Luka Majcen Churchill Brothers Source: The AIFF

Season awards

[edit]
Award Winner Club
Hero of the League India Bidyashagar Singh[46] TRAU
Golden Boot India Bidyashagar Singh[46] TRAU
Golden Glove Nepal Kiran Chemjong[46] Punjab
Jarnail Singh Award (Best Defender) Lebanon Hamza Kheir[46] Churchill Brothers
Best Midfielder India Konsam Phalguni Singh[46] TRAU
Syed Abdul Rahim Award (Best Coach) India Leimapokpam Nandakumar Singh[46] TRAU
Emerging Player of the League India Emil Benny[46] Gokulam Kerala

Team of the season

[edit]
I-League team of 2020–21

Source: arunfoot.com

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "League Committee sends its recommendations to the AIFF Executive Committee | Hero I-League". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Bengaluru FC to play in AFC Cup playoffs as AIFF confirms all three continental spots for ISL teams". Scroll.in. 4 June 2020.
  3. ^ "AIFF likely to keep relegation on hold in I-League". The Times of India. 29 April 2021.
  4. ^ Banerjee, Debkalpa (8 May 2020). "ISL, I-League brace for upheaval as AIFF considers altering foreign player rules". The Indian Express. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  5. ^ "Hero I-League 2020-21 to start on January 9 with a new shorter format". the-aiff.com. 7 November 2020. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  6. ^ "AIFF invites bids for new clubs to join Hero I-League 2020 onwards". AIFF. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Sudeva and Sreenidhi granted playing rights in Hero I-League from 2020-21 and 2021-22 respectively". AIFF. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Sudeva FC becomes first club from Delhi to play in I-League". The Times of India. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  9. ^ "Sreenidhi Football Club". AIFF. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  10. ^ "East Bengal to play in ISL 2020-21 - Mamata Banerjee". ISL. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  11. ^ "Mohun Bagan, ATK announce merger; to play ISL next season". Sportstar. The Hindu. 16 January 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  12. ^ "Mohammedan secure coveted Hero I-League return after 2-0 win over Bhawanipore". i-league.org. AIFF. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  13. ^ "Hero I-League and Hero 2nd division Qualifiers to be held in Kolkata". www.the-aiff.com. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  14. ^ "Fixtures Page | Hero I-League". Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  15. ^ "Sudeva Delhi FC, Mohammedan SC to get Hero I-League 2020-21 underway on January 9". www.the-aiff.com. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  16. ^ "Aizawl FC announce Vamos as Kit Sponsor". Facebook. 20 November 2020.
  17. ^ Das Sharma, Amitabha (19 January 2018). "Aizawl looks to build future with own hands". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  18. ^ a b "Nivia Sports Official Website". Nivia Sports. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  19. ^ "Gokulam Kerala sign new kit sponsorship deal with SEGA Shoes". Facebook. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  20. ^ "The Club - Gokulam Kerala FC". gokulamkeralafc.com. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  21. ^ "NEW YEAR, NEW KIT FOR INDIAN FOOTBALL". 19 December 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  22. ^ "Mohammedan Sport club announce Trak Only as new kit sponsor". Facebook.com. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  23. ^ "Mohammedan Sporting Club - Official Website". Mohammedan. Archived from the original on 19 May 2004. Retrieved 13 December 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  24. ^ NEROCA F.C. [@NerocaFC] (25 September 2020). "We are proud that Ambition Sportswear is the official partner of 20-21 kit sponsorship of NEROCA FC" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ "The launching pad is on!". Facebook.com. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  26. ^ "RoundGlass Punjab Football Club". T10 Sports. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  27. ^ "Real Kashmir FC: Official Website". Arunava Chaudhuri. 11 April 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  28. ^ a b "Real Kashmir FC: Official Website". Real Kashmir FC. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  29. ^ "Sudeva announce Puma as new Kit partner". Sudeva Delhi FC. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  30. ^ "Our Sponsors & Partners". Sudeva Delhi FC. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  31. ^ "ROMI BAG will be the kit partner for TRAU for this edition of I League". facebook.com/officialtraufc. TRAU FC (facebook). Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  32. ^ "GKFC bid adieu to Fernando Santiago Varela". gokulamkeralafc.com. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  33. ^ Ajith Kumar, P.K. (1 August 2020). "Gokulam Kerala FC appoints Italian Vincenzo Annese as coach". Sportstar. The Hindu. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  34. ^ a b Joshi, Rutvij (24 September 2020). "Fernando Santiago Varela appointed new Churchill Brothers head coach". khelnow.com. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  35. ^ "Chennai City FC and coach Akbar Nawas part ways". Sportstar. The Hindu. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  36. ^ "Chennai City FC name Satyasagara as new head coach". The Times of India. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  37. ^ a b "Aizawl FC part ways with Rozario | Football News". The Times of India.
  38. ^ "Mohammedan SC sack Jose Hevia, copy official statement from NorthEast United". The Bridge. 20 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  39. ^ "I-League Live Streaming, Mohammedan Sporting Vs Chennai City: Preview, When And Where To Watch". www.outlookindia.com/. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  40. ^ "AIFF Implements '3+1' rule for I-League 2020-21". Indo-Asian News Service. Times Now. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  41. ^ "Sudeva to field an all-Indian team in Hero I-League 2020-21, confirms President Anuj Gupta". i-league.org. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  42. ^ "I-League 2020-21 Fixtures Out: Debutants Sudeva Delhi FC and Mohammedan SC to Kickstart Season". News18. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  43. ^ "Sudeva FC wins bid for direct entry into the I-League - All you need to know | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  44. ^ "AIFF likely to keep relegation on hold in I-League". The Times of India. 29 April 2021.
  45. ^ a b "Statistics | Hero I-League".
  46. ^ a b c d e f g "I-League 2020-21: List of Award Winners as TRAU FC Win Maximum Accolades". News18. 27 March 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
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