Head coaches of Indian Super League (ISL) teams have unanimously expressed happiness over the return of stadium spectators for the 2022-23 season.
Speaking at an event in Mumbai, the coaches of the Hero ISL teams said that the experience of the tournament will be thrilling with fans returning to the stadium.
Last season, in the final at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, fans were welcomed back into the stadium and the atmosphere was loud and electric. This year Hero is returning to the ISL home and away format and it will mark the return of the most important element of football – the fans.
Kerala Blasters, who finished as runners-up in the previous season, had the most support in a sold-out game in the final, which was being played at a neutral venue. Blasters head coach Ivan Vukomanovic recalled the “yellow wall” he saw that evening.
“It was great to see him in the final,” Vukomanovic said. “They are coming there and supporting us, it was a pleasure to have that feeling back after so long. We are glad that we are back in our stadiums, and especially with the fans, because I think the football we play is for the fans. ,
The Blasters fan squad is expected to show their best with Kerala Blasters hosting East Bengal during the Hero ISL starting in Kochi from October 7. This season the domestic and outdoor dynamics of Hero ISL will be fully implemented again. Mumbai City FC coach Des Buckingham said the presence of fans during the recently concluded Durand Cup was a testament to his impact.
“We played three games in a stadium with 15,000 to 20 thousand people and nothing is more exciting than hearing the roar of the crowd. Whether it’s the player with the chance to score or the goalkeeper who wins the match. You feel that energy. You feel that excitement from the edge, and you can definitely see it in the pace of the game for the players,” he said.
The support of thousands of fans in the Durand Cup despite most teams not playing in their home stadiums was a sign of things to come in the coming season. One match in which such scenes are guaranteed is the Kolkata derby, which takes place on 29 October and is expected to be at its best. ATK Mohun Bagan coach Juan Ferrando said that without fans there is no point in success.
“Fans are very important to us. Football is nothing without fans. It is very important for us to have him back in the stadium and get his support. The success of the club and the team is for the fans.”
In addition to the Durand Cup experience, for some coaches, such as Bengaluru FC’s Simon Grayson, the experience of home advantage from chanting supporters has already been felt. Grayson said this is only a small sample of things to come.
Grayson said, “We had an open training day before we went to the Durand Cup and we sampled some noise from about 3 or 4 hundred people – the full house we expect for the first game against the Northeast.” Don’t pay attention.”
“Now, we are going back home. West Block Blues fans will definitely support the players, they will be behind the team,” said the BFC head coach.
The new structure of the Indian domestic calendar for this season was also praised by the coaches. The Durand Cup started the season, before the Super Cup was discontinued in April, and is now followed by the Hero ISL.
This would mean that the season is nine months long, with each Hero ISL team playing at least 27 matches during the season. The number of home games will be in line with AFC regulations and ensure an overall development cycle for the Indian players, as well as provide more opportunities for fans to cheer for their favorite teams.
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