The second part of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 Media Day rounded off with representatives from former champions like Bengaluru FC, Hyderabad FC, FC Goa, and Chennaiyin FC, along with defending ISL Cup winners Mumbai City FC and home side Kerala Blasters FC discussing the season ahead in Kochi.
Sandesh to make long-awaited comeback
FC Goa defender Sandesh Jhingan is making a comeback from a knee injury that kept him out of the second half of the last season. He reflected on the rehabilitation process, even exclaiming the surreal experience it is to turn up in front of the Gaurs – the passionate fan base of the club.
“The rehab, for any player, at such a pivotal point of the season, I had to miss out half of the season and also the important games for the national team. I have been really lucky and grateful for the people around me. I have begun training with the team and will be back in action within a few games,” Jhingan said.
The tone for the session was set by Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle, who hailed the potential of Indian youngsters and gave a timeline within which the national team can start aiming for the FIFA World Cup qualification.
“We all have a duty towards improving Indian football. All of us want the Indian Super League to be spoken of highly. Now that my good friend Manolo (Marquez) is with the Indian side, hopefully the national team will start moving up the FIFA rankings too. I don’t think it’s too far-fetched that we could be working to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 8-10 years. There is true potential in India,” Coyle said.
Kerala Blasters FC welcome Mikael Stahre
Kerala Blasters FC will step into the new campaign under the helm of a new head coach in Mikael Stahre, who has struck an instant connect with the passion for the sport in the city.
“Kerala Blasters FC is a big club with a massive fan-base who pack the stadiums completely in every single match, which is a part of the reason behind my coming here. We trained for a month in Thailand under great facilities and I have been very pleased with that. The guys have been super committed from the very first second; it’s a great group of players who are eager to develop themselves,” Stahre said.
Mumbai City FC, Bengaluru FC reignite rivalry
Mumbai City FC underwent a mini-overhaul of the squad, with their three key players in Rahul Bheke, Alberto Noguera, and Jorge Pereyra Diaz joining Bengaluru FC. Head coach Petr Kratky believes that episodes like this are commonplace in modern football, instead drawing attention to how teams uplift their game when facing the Islanders, setting the stage for cracking contests always.
“We are starting a new chapter, which is why I am very excited. We have new players and new staff. We are working very hard behind the scenes to achieve our goals, it’s about continuing the processes, we want to be at the top all of the time. Changes are part of football, people come and go, but we always try to put work together and work in the same direction as before,” Kratky said.
Tactician Gerard Zaragoza looked thrilled for his first full-season with Bengaluru FC, having taken over the reins midway into the campaign last season. With a complete pre-season and fresh signings under their belt, Zaragoza is preparing his boys to assume authority over matches this year.
“We have worked well since pre-season to sign the players that we would need to succeed. The most important thing for us is to dominate the games with and without the ball. Our idea is to make our fans happy, win as many games as possible, and see where we can arrive,” Zaragoza said.
New beginnings for Hyderabad FC
Finally, the campaign will see a rejuvenated Hyderabad FC, under its new ownership, aiming to spark a comeback after a disappointing run last year. Head coach Thangboi Singto gave a timely reminder that the club had won the ISL finals in 2021-22 and expressed that they are eager to reclaim that glory this season.
“We had a very interesting journey, I’d say. Some of the youngsters responded strongly. We want to rebuild and come back progressively strong, and I hope nobody forgets that Hyderabad FC is also an ISL champion. I am sure we will deliver better performances this year,” Singto said.
The ISL 2024-25 season will kick off on Friday, September 13, 2024, between ISL League Winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant and ISL Cup Winners Mumbai City FC at 7:30pm IST, on the JioCinema and Sports18 network.
