NEW DELHI: The AIFF’s 2nd Division League 2017-18 kicked off Wednesday with century old Mohammedan Sporting Club playing host to Jamshedpur FC Reserves at the Barasat Stadium near Kolkata followed by Langsning FC squaring off against Chennaiyin FC Reserves.
18 teams are plying their trade in the league this year, a rise of 50 per cent from last season’s 12. Teams traversing the length and breadth of the country will take part in the league. There are also three teams who will be making their debut this season, in the form of TRAU FC from Imphal, Manipur, FC Kerala from Thrissur, Kerala and Madhya Bharat FC from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
In the preliminary phase, the teams have been divided into three groups of six. The teams will take on each other on a home and away basis with the group winners and best second placed team from among the groups qualifying for the final phase. The winner of the final phase will then be promoted to the I-League.
Although the top two sides from the preliminary phase are slated to qualify for the final phase, the ISL reserve sides will not qualify for the final even if they finish within the top two spots and their place will go to the next best non-ISL team.
I-League CEO, Sunando Dhar commented: “Neroca FC’s success in the Hero I-League 2017-18 should serve as an impetus for teams to shine. From 2nd division champs to 2nd in the top division. I wish all the teams the very best and hope the fight hard to reach the top level of Indian football,” he said.
This season will also see the advent of the Reserve team concept in Indian football. For the first time top teams from the Indian Super League will field their reserve sides in the Hero I-League 2nd division. These teams will solely comprise of Indian players. An added criterion is that apart from three players, the teams can have only U-23 players in their respective squads.
