SLK begins third season with revamped tournament format

Kannur Warriors FC players train in Kannur ahead of the Super League Kerala tournament opener. | Photo Credit: SK MOHAN

As Super League Kerala (SLK) aims to become a sustainable success story in Indian football, it enters its third season with key innovations to intensify competition on the pitch and to deliver an even more thrilling experience for fans.

The new points structure (3-2-1-0), introduced this season to eliminate draws, will make the league matches more competitive. League matches tied at the end of regular time will head to a penalty shootout with the winner getting an additional point.

A win during regulation time will fetch three with zero for the losing side.

To reward consistency, the SLK Shield will be given to the team which finishes on top at the end of the league stage. SLK has also expanded the knockout stage by introducing a home-and-away format for the semifinals, increasing the number of matches from 33 to 35.

On the competition front, the teams have geared up for the season with new coaches and players.

Calicut FC is the only team to retain its coach, reposing faith in Argentine Ever Demalde.

Russian Andrey Chernyshov, who coached Thrissur Magic FC last season, will be in charge of defending champion Kannur Warriors FC, while Magic has roped in Spaniard David Caneda Perez.

Forca Kochi, who finished bottom last season, has roped in former Belgian World Cupper Vital Borkelmans to change its fortunes. Moroccan Karim Bencherifa will be Malappuram FC’s new coach while Thiruvananthapuram Komban has gone for Ian Gillan.

The SLK rules — which limit the number of foreigners on the pitch to four and mandate the inclusion of two under-23 players from Kerala — continue to foster local talent. This season, the league will feature 34 foreigners from 17 countries.

The SLK will have a new broadcasting partner this season with Zee Entertainment set to telecast live on its ZEE5 and Unite8 Sports channels. The Etisalat will stream the matches live to audiences in the UAE.

The tournament kicks off at the Municipal Corporation stadium with Warriors taking on Magic in a repeat of last year’s final with both teams exuded confidence of winning on the eve of the match.