1 match into Round 8 of the 2017-18 ISL season and we already have a new table topper with the previously top teams dropping down the list.

FC Goa was the talk of the month with their string of victories coming off the back off a plethora of goals. 14 goals over 3 matches. That, unfortunately, was brought to a stop with a 0-2 loss to FC Pune City.

Kerala Blasters have not been able to regain their dominant form over the last 2 seasons with them falling to Bengaluru FC 3-1 in their last match.

Chennaiyin FC and FC Pune City have managed to string together positive results to now lead the table with Chennaiyin FC holding a slender 1 point lead over both FC Pune City and Bengaluru FC at 15 points.

The new entrants Jamshedpur FC haven't done too badly too with them holding the mid-table position along with FC Goa and Mumbai City FC solidly while the bottom of the table has been comprised of ATK, Kerala Blasters, NorthEast United and Delhi Dynamos.

Of course, everyone knows that all it takes is for a team to string together a couple of draws and victories and the table would shift again. Bengaluru FC looked to be the team to beat with an efficient team management system working for them. How that has changed.

One can only wait and watch and see how this progresses. For now, the current table standings below.

Table as of 03-01-2018

Hero I-League launched and first match results

On 21st November, a significantly low-key but glittering opening ceremony, attended by the team captains and coaches, served to launch the 11th edition of Hero I-league as the premier football league in the country for the last time. The talk about ISL taking over next year has been discussed time and again with many a die-hard football fan not pleased with the proceedings but one can only wait and watch.

The proceedings will have kicked off on Nov 25, 2017 and culminate on Mar 6, 2018. Joining the action this year will be three new clubs: Gokulam Kerala FC from Calicut, Neroca FC from Imphal and Indian Arrows from Delhi. The Indian Arrows is the AIFF developmental team comprising of the the India U-17 and India U-19 team players. The prize money has also been upped with the winners getting Rs 1 Crore, runners-up getting Rs 60 lakhs, third place getting Rs 40 Lakhs and the fourth place finisher getting Rs 25 lakhs.

Game 1: 25/11/2017
#MPFCvMB Minerva Punjab FC v Mohun Bagan 1-1

The opening game of the season featured debutants Minerva Punjab hosting the 'Mariners', Mohun Bagan at the GN Stadium, Ludhiana. The Mariners' struggled to get going and the same could be seen with the hosts. With most of the game being focussed in the midfield, there were hardly any attempts by either side on the goals early in the game. The deadlock was broken in the first half by Sony Norde in the 43rd minute who took the visitors ahead. However, in the dying moments of the game, Moinuddin Khan (88') equalised for the debutants sending them into rapturous celebrations. The visitors could not make any inroads after that and had to settle for a draw which was definitely not the way they intended to kick off the start to this season. They might also consider themselves as lucky since the debutants missed quite a few opportunities and could easily have been 2 goals up early in the second half. Ivorian Lago Dagbo Bei had a shot hit the post and then after setting Girik Khosla up, saw the striker not able to convert. Even Deepak Devrani failed to score against his old club with his point-blank shot going over the bar.

A long ISL season. A short I-League season.

A little over 3 month long I-League season and a 4 month long season for the ISL.

10 teams each.

With all the talk of a merged ISL-I-League season within the next couple of years it is ridiculous to think that last years winners of the I-League Aizwal FC would see their dream win come to almost nothing. ISL seems to have the financial backing and the clout to make the AIFF favour it for the much wanted evening weekend game slots and give it preference for almost anything it needs.

They need to have promotion and relegation in place if the AIFF intends to make the ISL the premier league in the country. Unfortunately, IMG-Reliance seems to have an agreement with the current owners that there will not be any promotion or relegation for the first 10 years.

The withdrawal of 3 Goan teams Dempo SC, Sporting Clube De Goa and Salgaonkar FC from the I League in 2016 left a sour taste as they were the creme de la creme of Goa's clubs though they continue to participate in the Goa Pro League. The roadmap from AIFF which intends to rechristen I-League as League One seems to be set in stone and one way or another will be bulldozed through.

Indian Super League will still remain India's no. 2 league for now as the winners will get an AFC Cup slot (Asia's equivalent of the Europa Cup) while the I-League winners get to participate in the AFC Champions League, which is Asia's top notch competition.

The finality of this is already known. What remains to be seen is whether the clubs will take it on the chin or go down fighting as money and marquee players seem to currently dominate over rich history and immense fan base.