'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The inaugural edition of the Hero Super Cup is set to get underway at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, where we will see the ISL and I-League teams pitted against each other. The Super Cup will replace the Federation Cup, an annual tournament in which the ISL teams did not participate, previously.
Since ISL was given its professional status by Asian Football Confederation last June, it will be the first time teams of joint top divisions of Indian football will come face to face. The cup, which is divided into qualifiers and main competition, is already past its qualifier stage. Here are 5 reasons why you should look forward to this competition as it heads into the next round.
5. Knockout football
For the first time in the history of Indian football, we will get to see domestic cup-styled knockout competition. That means there is no room for the group stage. Instead, the competition will head straight into the Round of 16 where eight will be eliminated, while the other eight will move on to the quarterfinals.
The cup also follows a new format, which includes qualifiers as well as main competition. Both ISL and I-League will get equal participation in the league. The top six teams from both the leagues have qualified for the Round of 16, whereas the bottom four teams from both the divisions went into the qualifiers.
4. A bigger pool of talent
ISL has had a huge impact on Indian football in terms of discovering talent and giving them a platform to perform. A lot of players have come to the forefront and have stolen the hearts of fans with their performances. Names like Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, C.K. Vineeth, Robin Singh, and countless others are now much more popular than they used to be.
The main factor leading to the popularity of many of these players can be attributed to the fact that ISL has more mainstream media coverage and fan following than the I-League. This fan following is expected to pour into the Super Cup as well.
As a result, fans are surely set to witness an even bigger pool of talent than before. Players who have been playing in the I-League will get to make a mark in front of an even bigger audience. Mixed with the popularity of ISL and the talent of I-League, the Super Cup will surely bring exciting new players to the forefront of Indian football.
3. Kalinga Stadium
Kalinga Stadium is a 50,000 seater stadia located in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. The stadium which is a multipurpose arena has facilities for sports such as athletics, hockey, and football. The venue will host every single match of the Super Cup which will serve as a good trial run as it will be hosting the final of Men's Hockey World Cup 2018.
The stadium complex also consists of a newly built Olympic-standard blue and pink hockey turf and has hosted matches of the FIH Hockey World League. Due to its purpose as a multi-sport arena, the stadium is in good conditions and gathers a good crowd on match days. Come come the first match the stadium is expected to be filled with fans as the Super Cup heads to the Round of 16.
2. I-League will reap the benefits of ISL's popularity
ISL has brought with itself an entertainment factor. A mix of young population, mainstream media coverage, as well as celebrity backing, has played a huge part in the success of ISL. The league is highly driven by investments and as a result, has brought a different side of football to the Indian population than the one which I-League offers.
I-League has been the official football league of India for decades now but is still far behind in terms of popularity and fan following than some other local leagues. On the other hand, ISL has been able to gain massive following due to its overwhelming nature which focuses more on keeping the fans entertained.
Due to their coming together in the cup, ISL's popularity will surely affect the I-League as well. Although the Super Cup may not be as glamorous as the ISL, some of its popularity is bound to trickle down to the I-League as fans will get more exposure to the teams and the players who are part of the league.
1. ISL vs I-League
Super Cup will bring to the fore the best teams in the Indian football scene. A unique competition that will ensure some great knockout matches will pit ISL against I-League.
In terms of footballing identity, ISL and I-League signify two different sides of the same coin. ISL focuses more on the entertainment factor of the game, attracting the best players and encouraging high-intensity football.
ISL's popularity has also skyrocketed due to the endorsement received by celebrities and coverage by mainstream media. I-League, on the other hand, has always focused on the core aspects of football by creating a well-defined structure and creating fan bases and rivalries over the years.
The cup will bring together not only the two leagues but also two different identities of Indian football, one which signifies glamour and the other which signifies tradition. Fans of the game will no doubt watch on closely to see which one prevails.
