The ISL season kicks off with a mouth-watering clash between arch-rivals and champions ATK and runners-up Kerala Blasters FC at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on November 17. With the two extra teams this season, the league stage will last till March 4 with five knockout games after that.

FC Goa President Akshay Tandon has been supervising the establishment of a solid grassroots framework for providing training opportunities for budding Indian footballers. The coming of ISL has served to be beneficial in terms of the improvements and development of football infrastructure in India.

Two-time ISL champions ATK yesterday announced the signing of Portuguese striker José Egas dos Santos Branco also known as Zequinha for the 2017 ISL season. Branco has formerly represented Portugal at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2007 and is known for his superb striking abilities.

In their quest for the title for the third time, ATK announced the signing of Irish football legend Robert David “Robbie” Keane for the upcoming season of Indian Super League. Keane, who has been a prolific scorer playing for the Republic of Ireland, scored 68 goals for his country.