Indian Super League 2022-23’s final match is on March 18. This season India’s premier football league will follow a new and improved format for semi-finals, unlike the older one. Previously, the top four teams made the double-legged semi-finals after the league.
format for Qualifying ISL semi final
In this format, the semi-finals will be played over two legs. The top two ranked teams are already qualified for the one semi-final. Two knock-out matches are to happen between the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth to determine the other two semi-finalists. The winners will compete with each other. Two winners will qualify for the finale.
The knock-out playoffs will start today, that is on 3rd March. And the ISL semi final are on the 7th and 9th of March. The third and fourth-place taker teams will host the knockout matches. The semi-finals will be in the home-away format as usual.
qualifying teams
ATK Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters, and Odisha FC are the four teams, who have already qualified for semi finale. Defending champions Hyderabad FC and former winners Mumbai City FC have already confirmed their spots in the knockout rounds. Mumbai qualified with 46 points from 20 matches and Hyderabad with 42 points from their 20 matches.
in the first knockout match, Kerala Blasters FC and Bengaluru FC will face each other at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, trying to make a position in the semi-final. ATK Mohun Bagan will face Odisha FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata for the second knockout game.
Samson on Kfc being the brand ambassador
Kerala Blasters FC brand ambassador Sanju Samson said that it is unbelievable and he thinks it’s pure magic. He can’t compare the cheer of Kerala with the crowds he had seen throughout the world. “It’s really amazing and I’m really grateful to be a part of them.”
He also shared about his love for football, and how it is connected to his family throughout his childhood. “I can tell you one thing for sure, being a 28-year-old sports fan, the biggest thing you can have in your sports career is setbacks. Yeah, if you have some setbacks, if you have some hard times, and if you have some failures, then you have that burning feeling to come back from the next season. So, when you come back with that strong feeling, no one can stop you in the world.”
For the first time in ISL’s history, a total of six teams have progressed to the playoff stage. Goa will host the Hero ISL Final on March 20, Sunday at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.
