2021–22 I-League
The 2021–22 I-League (also known as Hero I-League for sponsorship reasons) is the 15th season of I-League, last season as the top tier of Indian football league system, since its establishment in 2007. All the matches are hosted in a bio-secure bubble in West Bengal due to COVID-19 pandemic in India.
Season | 2021–22 |
---|---|
Dates | 26 December 2021 – 14 May 2022 |
Relegated | Kenkre[1] |
Matches played | 104 |
Goals scored | 265 (2.55 per match) |
Highest scoring | Gokulam Kerala 6–2 Kenkre (12 March 2022) |
Longest winning run | Gokulam Kerala (6 games) |
Longest unbeaten run | Gokulam Kerala (15 games) |
Longest winless run | Kenkre (12 games) |
Longest losing run | Kenkre (6 games) |
← 2020–21 2022–23 →
All statistics correct as of 4 May 2022. |
After the commencement of the first match-week of the league on 27 December 2021, the tournament got suspended on 29 December due to reports of numerous COVID-19 cases among the players and staff.[2] All India Football Federation released new dates on 1 February 2022, with a revised schedule of the league resuming from 3 March.
The AIFF declared that spectators would be allowed in the Second Phase of the league, but only in selected parts of the respective stadiums.[3]
Changes from last season
Number of clubs
The total number of clubs participating increased from 11 in the previous season to 13 in this season.
In 2020 the 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.[4] On 12 August 2020, the AIFF announced that Sreenidi Deccan FC, which is based in Visakhapatnam would join from this season.[5][6]
On 4 December 2021, the AIFF replaced Chennai City FC by Kenkre FC.
Promoted clubs
Promoted from the 2021 I-League Qualifiers
Relegated clubs
Relegated from the 2020–21 I-League
- None[lower-alpha 2]
Notes:
- Chennai City FC was barred from participation in the league on failing to comply with club licensing regulations, therefore Kenkre FC, the runner-up of 2021 I-League Qualifiers, replaced them
- Viewing the deprecating financial conditions of the many clubs during the COVID-19 pandemic, the AIFF decided to withdraw relegation for a season.
Format
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament's format was shortened last season, and the same format is being followed. 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 seven teams will face each other once again in the Championship stage, where the team with most points (cumulative points collected from all seventeen matches) will be declared the winner of the league and qualify for the 2023 AFC Cup. The other six teams will play against each other in a Relegation stage where the team with the lowest points (cumulative points collected from all sixteen matches) will be relegated to 2nd Division League.[7]
Teams


Stadiums and locations
Due to COVID-19 pandemic in India, all the matches will be played in a single venue. AIFF declared West Bengal as the venue on 26 June.[8] Matches will be played in Mohun Bagan Ground in Kolkata, Kalyani Stadium in Kalyani and Naihati Stadium in Naihati.[9]
Stadium | Capacity | Location |
---|---|---|
Kalyani Municipal Stadium | 20,000 | Kalyani, Nadia |
Mohun Bagan Ground | 20,000 | Maidan, Kolkata |
Naihati Bankimanjali Stadium | 25,000 | Naihati, North 24 Parganas |
Personnel and sponsorship
Head coaching changes
Team | Outgoing coach | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Ref. | Round | Table | Incoming coach | Date of appointment | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sreenidi Deccan | Expansion team | Pre-season | ![]() |
20 April 2021 | |||||
Mohammedan | ![]() |
End of caretaker spell | 10 May 2021 | ![]() |
12 May 2021 | [25] | |||
Churchill Brothers | ![]() |
End of contract | 20 April 2021 | ![]() |
18 June 2021 | ||||
NEROCA | ![]() |
End of contract | 30 June 2021 | ![]() |
3 July 2021 | [18] | |||
RoundGlass Punjab | ![]() |
Signed by Bristol City | 1 June 2021 | ![]() |
15 July 2021 | [26] | |||
Sudeva Delhi | ![]() |
Professional improvement | 13 November 2021 | ![]() |
13 November 2021 | ||||
Rajasthan United | ![]() |
Technical director | 2 December 2021 | ![]() |
2 December 2021 | ||||
Churchill Brothers | ![]() |
End of contract | 12 January 2022 | COVID-19 break | ![]() |
12 February 2022 | |||
RoundGlass Punjab | ![]() |
Mutual Agreement | 23 March 2022 | 6 | 3rd | ![]() |
23 March 2022 | [26] | |
Foreign players
Note: Players in bold has senior international cap(s) for their respective nations.
AIFF allowed maximum of six foreign players including one from AFC-affiliated country per team but only four can be part of matchday squad.[27] Indian Arrows cannot sign any foreign player as they are part of AIFF's developmental program.
Phase 1
Standings
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gokulam Kerala | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 33 | 10 | +23 | 30 | Championship stage |
2 | Mohammedan | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 23 | 12 | +11 | 26 | |
3 | RoundGlass Punjab | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 25 | 17 | +8 | 23 | |
4 | Sreenidi Deccan | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 14 | +4 | 21 | |
5 | Churchill Brothers | 12 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 15 | +1 | 20 | |
6 | NEROCA | 12 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 17 | 16 | +1 | 18 | |
7 | Rajasthan United | 12 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 10 | 8 | +2 | 16 | |
8 | Real Kashmir | 12 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 18 | 22 | −4 | 13 | Relegation stage |
9 | TRAU | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 15 | −3 | 12 | |
10 | Aizawl | 12 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 15 | 19 | −4 | 12 | |
11 | Sudeva Delhi | 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 16 | −7 | 10 | |
12 | Indian Arrows | 12 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 20 | −14 | 9 | |
13 | Kenkre | 12 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 24 | −18 | 2 |
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
All matches were played at neutral venues. The "home" and "away" are designated to identify Team 1 and Team 2 respectively.
Positions by round
The table lists the positions of teams after each round mentioned in official fixtures.
Promotion to Championship stage | |
Demotion to Relegation stage |
Results by games
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Phase 2
Championship stage (Group A)
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gokulam Kerala | 15 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 40 | 11 | +29 | 37 | Champion and qualified for the play–offs for 2023–24 AFC Cup group stage spot |
2 | Mohammedan | 15 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 29 | 16 | +13 | 31 | |
3 | RoundGlass Punjab | 16 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 30 | 24 | +6 | 27 | |
4 | Churchill Brothers | 15 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 21 | 18 | +3 | 27 | |
5 | Sreenidi Deccan | 15 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 21 | 18 | +3 | 23 | |
6 | Rajasthan United | 16 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 16 | 13 | +3 | 22 | |
7 | NEROCA | 16 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 17 | 24 | −7 | 19 |
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
All matches were played at neutral venues. The "home" and "away" are designated to identify Team 1 and Team 2 respectively.
Positions by round
The table lists the positions of teams after each round mentioned in official fixtures.
Champion |
Results by games
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Relegation stage (Group B)
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Aizawl | 17 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 23 | 26 | −3 | 21 | |
2 | TRAU | 17 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 15 | 17 | −2 | 18 | |
3 | Indian Arrows[lower-alpha 1] | 17 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 23 | −13 | 17[lower-alpha 2] | |
4 | Sudeva Delhi | 17 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 23 | −10 | 17[lower-alpha 2] | |
5 | Real Kashmir | 17 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 23 | 31 | −8 | 14 | |
6 | Kenkre (R) | 17 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 25 | −14 | 12 | Relegation to 2022–23 I-League 2nd Division |
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
(R) Relegated
Notes:
- Indian Arrows is exempted from relegation because it is a developmental team of the AIFF.
- Head-to-head standings: Indian Arrows 4 points, Sudeva Delhi 1 point.
Fixtures and results
All matches were played at neutral venues. The "home" and "away" are designated to identify Team 1 and Team 2 respectively.
Positions by round
The table lists the positions of teams after each round mentioned in official fixtures.
Relegated to 2022–23 I-League 2nd Division |
Results by games
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Season statistics
Top scorers
- As of 3 May 2022
Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
RoundGlass Punjab | 13 |
![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | ||
![]() |
Mohammedan | ||
4 | ![]() |
NEROCA | 10 |
![]() |
Sreenidi Deccan | ||
6 | ![]() |
Real Kashmir | 9 |
7 | ![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | 8 |
8 | ![]() |
Real Kashmir | 7 |
![]() |
Churchill Brothers | ||
10 | ![]() |
Churchill Brothers | 5 |
![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | ||
12 | ![]() |
Mohammedan | 4 |
![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | ||
![]() |
TRAU | ||
![]() |
Sreenidi Deccan | ||
15 | ![]() |
Aizawl | 3 |
![]() |
Rajasthan United | ||
![]() |
Aizawl | ||
![]() |
Mohammedan | ||
![]() |
Rajasthan United |
Top assists
- As of 3 May 2022
Rank | Player | Club | Assists |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Mohammedan | 9 |
2 | ![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | 5 |
![]() |
RoundGlass Punjab | ||
3 | ![]() |
Sreenidi Deccan | 4 |
4 | ![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | 3 |
![]() |
Aizawl | ||
![]() |
TRAU | ||
![]() |
Mohammedan | ||
![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | ||
![]() |
Mohammedan | ||
12 | ![]() |
Sreenidi Deccan | 2 |
![]() |
NEROCA | ||
![]() |
Real Kashmir | ||
![]() |
RoundGlass Punjab | ||
![]() |
Mohammedan | ||
![]() |
Real Kashmir | ||
![]() |
NEROCA | ||
![]() |
Sudeva Delhi | ||
![]() |
Real Kashmir |
Hat-tricks
Note: The score of the player's team is displayed first in the result column.
Player | For | Against | Result | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
NEROCA | Sreenidi Deccan | 3–2 | 27 December 2021 |
![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | Kenkre | 6–2 | 12 March 2022 |
Sudeva Delhi | 4–0 | 15 April 2022 |
Clean sheets
- As of 23 April 2022
Rank | Player | Club | Clean
sheets |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Rajasthan United | 8 |
2 | ![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | 5 |
3 | ![]() |
Sudeva Delhi | 4 |
4 | ![]() |
TRAU | 3 |
![]() |
Mohammedan | ||
![]() |
Aizawl | ||
![]() |
Indian Arrows | ||
8 | ![]() |
RoundGlass Punjab | 2 |
![]() |
Indian Arrows | ||
![]() |
NEROCA | ||
![]() |
Sreenidi Deccan | ||
![]() |
TRAU | ||
13 | ![]() |
Real Kashmir | 1 |
![]() |
Sreenidi Deccan | ||
![]() |
NEROCA | ||
![]() |
RoundGlass Punjab | ||
![]() |
Kenkre | ||
![]() |
Churchill Brothers | ||
![]() |
Kenkre |
Club
- Most yellow cards: 6
- Gokulam Kerala
- Most red cards: 4
- Aizawl
Awards
- Match 1 - 78 = First phase
- Match 79 - 114 = Second phase
Hero of the Match
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 | ![]() |
Indian Arrows | Match 2 | ![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | Match 3 | ![]() |
Rajasthan United |
Match 4 | ![]() |
NEROCA | Match 5 | ![]() |
Real Kashmir | Match 6 | ![]() |
Mohammedan |
Match 7 | ![]() |
Sreenidi Deccan | Match 8 | ![]() |
NEROCA | Match 9 | ![]() |
Mohammedan |
Match 10 | ![]() |
Indian Arrows | Match 11 | ![]() |
Real Kashmir | Match 12 | ![]() |
Churchill Brothers |
Match 13 | ![]() |
Mohammedan | Match 14 | ![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | Match 15 | ![]() |
NEROCA |
Match 16 | ![]() |
Rajasthan United | Match 17 | ![]() |
RoundGlass Punjab | Match 18 | ![]() |
Sudeva Delhi |
Match 19 | ![]() |
Sudeva Delhi | Match 20 | ![]() |
Aizawl | Match 21 | ![]() |
Sreenidi Deccan |
Match 22 | ![]() |
TRAU | Match 23 | ![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | Match 24 | ![]() |
Mohammedan |
Match 25 | ![]() |
Aizawl | Match 26 | ![]() |
Sreenidi Deccan | Match 27 | ![]() |
NEROCA |
Match 28 | ![]() |
Indian Arrows | Match 29 | ![]() |
Churchill Brothers | Match 30 | ![]() |
TRAU |
Match 31 | ![]() |
Aizawl | Match 32 | ![]() |
Sreenidi Deccan | Match 33 | ![]() |
NEROCA |
Match 34 | ![]() |
Rajasthan United | Match 35 | ![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | Match 36 | ![]() |
Mohammedan |
Match 37 | ![]() |
Sreenidi Deccan | Match 38 | ![]() |
Sudeva Delhi | Match 39 | ![]() |
Churchill Brothers |
Match 40 | ![]() |
Kenkre | Match 41 | ![]() |
Real Kashmir | Match 42 | ![]() |
Gokulam Kerala |
Match 43 | ![]() |
NEROCA | Match 44 | ![]() |
Aizawl | Match 45 | ![]() |
Sreenidi Deccan |
Match 46 | ![]() |
Real Kashmir | Match 47 | ![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | Match 48 | ![]() |
Mohammedan |
Match 49 | ![]() |
Sreenidi Deccan | Match 50 | ![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | Match 51 | ![]() |
Churchill Brothers |
Match 52 | ![]() |
Indian Arrows | Match 53 | ![]() |
RoundGlass Punjab | Match 54 | ![]() |
Rajasthan United |
Match 55 | ![]() |
NEROCA | Match 56 | ![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | Match 57 | ![]() |
TRAU |
Match 58 | ![]() |
RoundGlass Punjab | Match 59 | ![]() |
Mohammedan | Match 60 | ![]() |
Churchill Brothers |
Match 61 | ![]() |
TRAU | Match 62 | ![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | Match 63 | ![]() |
Aizawl |
Match 64 | ![]() |
Churchill Brothers | Match 65 | ![]() |
Real Kashmir | Match 66 | ![]() |
RoundGlass Punjab |
Match 67 | ![]() |
Sreenidi Deccan | Match 68 | ![]() |
Rajasthan United | Match 69 | ![]() |
Mohammedan |
Match 70 | ![]() |
Indian Arrows | Match 71 | ![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | Match 72 | ![]() |
RoundGlass Punjab |
Match 73 | ![]() |
Rajasthan United | Match 74 | ![]() |
NEROCA | Match 75 | ![]() |
Churchill Brothers |
Match 76 | ![]() |
Sudeva Delhi | Match 77 | ![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | Match 78 | ![]() |
Real Kashmir |
Match 79 | ![]() |
Aizawl | Match 80 | ![]() |
Kenkre | Match 81 | ![]() |
TRAU |
Match 82 | ![]() |
Rajasthan United | Match 83 | ![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | Match 84 | ![]() |
Mohammedan |
Match 85 | ![]() |
Indian Arrows | Match 86 | ![]() |
Sudeva Delhi | Match 87 | ![]() |
Kenkre |
Match 88 | ![]() |
Rajasthan United | Match 89 | ![]() |
NEROCA | Match 90 | ![]() |
Mohammedan |
Match 91 | ![]() |
Aizawl | Match 92 | ![]() |
TRAU | Match 93 | ![]() |
Sudeva Delhi |
Match 94 | ![]() |
RoundGlass Punjab | Match 95 | ![]() |
Gokulam Kerala | Match 96 | ![]() |
Mohammedan |
Match 97 | ![]() |
Indian Arrows | Match 98 | ![]() |
Kenkre | Match 99 | ![]() |
TRAU |
Match 100 | ![]() |
Rajasthan United | Match 101 | ![]() |
Churchill Brothers | Match 102 | ![]() |
Gokulam Kerala |
Match 103 | ![]() |
Indian Arrows | Match 104 | ![]() |
Real Kashmir | Match 105 | ||
Match 106 | Match 107 | Match 108 | ||||||
Match 109 | Match 110 | Match 111 | ||||||
Match 112 | Match 113 | Match 114 | ||||||
Source: The AIFF |
I-League Stars XI
The I-League Stars team will be formed at the end of the season to have them play against Indian national team in a friendly. India's assistant head coach, Shanmugam Venkatesh is set to pick the squad and lead them against Igor Stimac's side.[28]
See also
References
- Guha, Sayantan (4 May 2022). "I-League 2022: Kenkre FC relegated after Indian Arrows stab home a late winner". www.sportskeeda.com. Sportskeeda. Archived from the original on 5 May 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
- "I-League likely to be suspended for two weeks after many players test positive for Covid-19 dgtl". anandabazar.com (in Bengali). Anandabazar Patrika. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- "Fans to be Allowed in Selected Areas for Hero I-League 2021-22 Phase 2 Matches". News18. 18 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- "AIFF invites bids for new clubs to join Hero I-League 2020 onwards". AIFF. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
- "Sudeva and Sreenidhi granted playing rights in Hero I-League from 2020-21 and 2021-22 respectively". AIFF. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- "Sreenidhi Football Club". AIFF. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
- "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.
- "I-League 2021-22 to be held in Kolkata: Everything you need to know | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- "I-League to kick off on Boxing Day in Kolkata; 13 teams to compete this season". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- "Aizawl FC announce Vamos as Kit Sponsor". 20 November 2020. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
- Das Sharma, Amitabha (19 January 2018). "Aizawl looks to build future with own hands". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
- Ruiz, Bernardo (15 February 2022). "Un viaje en busca de la fortuna [A journey in search of fortune]". muchodeporte.com (in Spanish). Fútbol Regional. Archived from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
- "Nivia Sports Official Website". Nivia Sports. Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
- "Gokulam Kerala sign new kit sponsorship deal with SEGA Shoes". Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- "NEW YEAR, NEW KIT FOR INDIAN FOOTBALL". 19 December 2018. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
- "Mohammedan Sporting appointed Andrey Chernyshov as head coach". IFTWC.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- "Mohammedan Sporting Club - Official Website". Mohammedan. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
- "I-League – Former I-League winning coach Khogen Singh signs for NEROCA FC". IFTWC. 4 July 2021. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- NEROCA F.C. [@NerocaFC] (2 September 2021). "We are glad to announce Nivia Sports as the official kit partner of Neroca FC" (Tweet). Retrieved 15 September 2021 – via Twitter.
- "Real Kashmir FC: Official Website". Real Kashmir FC. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
- RoundGlass Punjab FC [@SIX5SIXSport] (17 September 2021). "We are excited to welcome @RGPunjabFC to the @SIX5SIXSport family for the next 3 years!" (Tweet). Retrieved 17 September 2021 – via Twitter.
- "Real Kashmir FC: Official Website". Arunava Chaudhuri. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
- "Sreenidhi FC appoint Fernando Varela as head coach for I-League 2021-22 season". Sportskeeda. 20 April 2021. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
- "Our Sponsors & Partners". Sudeva Delhi FC. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
- "Mohammedan Sporting appointed Russian Andrey Chernyshov as their head coach |". IFTWC.com. Archived from the original on 21 May 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- "Ashley Westwood appointed coach of Punjab Football Club". Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- "AIFF Implements '3+1' rule for I-League 2020-21". Indo-Asian News Service. Times Now. Archived from the original on 2 July 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- Mergulhao, Marcus (26 April 2022). "I-League stars to face national team in a friendly". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. The Times of India. Retrieved 26 April 2022.