Football News: Indian Super League announces a change in a playoffs format 

The Indian Super League (ISL) announced its fixtures for the 2022-23 edition on Thursday. The big-ticket event will commence on October 7 as Kerala Blasters, and East Bengal competes against each other in the Kochi season opener.

Kerala Blasters were the runners-up in the previous season, and East Bengal finished with the wooden spoon. Unlike what has been observed, the new season will change the format. 

Change in Playoff format

The league organisers, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), have announced a tweak in the playoffs format next season. Usually, the top four teams at the closing of the league stage advance to the playoffs. 

However, a new season marks a new beginning. 

What does the new format for the playoffs include?

There will be a change in the selection process en route to the semi-finals. Unlike the observed norm involving the top four teams that make it to the playoffs, only the top two teams will qualify this year at the end of the league stage. 

Teams that finish in and between third to sixth will compete in a single-leg playoff, determining the remaining two semi-finalists. The top two teams will automatically advance to the semi-finals. 

The third-ranked team will compete against the sixth-placed squad, while the fourth team will be pitted against the fifth-placed team.

Eliminator 1: third-ranked team v sixth-ranked team

Eliminator 2: fourth-ranked team v fifth-ranked team

Semi-Final 1 First Leg: first ranked team v (winner of Eliminator 2)

Semi-Final 2 First Leg: second-ranked team v (winner of Eliminator 1)

Semi-Final 1 Second Leg: (winner of Eliminator 2) v first ranked team

Semi-Final 2 Second Leg: (winner of Eliminator 1) v second ranked team

Final: (winner of Semi-Final 1) v (winner of Semi-Final 2)

The new rule implies that teams finishing fifth and sixth will now be able to compete in the playoffs and continue their bid to win the ISL title. Hyderabad FC had beaten Kerala Blasters via a penalty shootout last year to clinch the title. 

Meanwhile, Jamshedpur FC was the league winner in 2021. They had topped the league phase with record points, and now, they hold the League Winners' Shield, the first time they've received it in league history.

ISL to be assigned matchdays

Furthermore, ISL 2022-23 will be given specific matchdays. This season, matches will only be played between Thursday and Sunday, and weekends will have doubleheaders. 

The new season will also witness the arrival of fans back into the stadiums. Apart from that, the Super Cup will be held after a three-year hiatus.