Aizawl FC
Aizawl FC players getting ready for season 2019-20. Image credit - Twitter

The 2019-20 season of the Hero I-League will kick off on Saturday and on day one, Aizawl FC will host Bagan in the afternoon (2 pm) at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl.

A total of 110 matches will be played across 17 weeks, with 45 foreign nationals taking part.

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The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced the fixtures of the Hero I-League 2019-20 season on November 19, 2019 with the new league campaign set to get underway on November 30, 2019.

The AIFF recently announced DSport as the new broadcasters of the league, a move that was lauded by a number of club officials.

“The fixtures have been drawn after consulting our marketing partners FSDL, broadcasters DSport, and all the clubs involved in the competition,” said Hero I-League CEO Sunando Dhar.

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“This season, we have a lot more flexibility as far as the fixtures are concerned, with the kick-off timings being at 2 PM, 5 PM and 7 PM.”

“I’m sure this would make all the clubs happy. Like always, we are looking forward to a great season of the Hero I-League. Wishing all the clubs best of luck for the season,” he further added.

“What makes the Hero I-League special I believe is its competitiveness and unpredictability. You cannot earmark a team and be absolutely sure that they are going to win,” said Sunando Dhar, CEO, I-League, ahead of the opening match-day.

“That unpredictability is rare in football these days, which makes me proud of our league. It’s almost time and I could not be more excited,” he added as reported bySportsar.

For this season, Mohan Bagan has roped in Spaniard Kibu Vicuna along with a fleet of Spaniards in a clear departure from established norms.

The side under Vicuna has been together for about five months now and have played at least three competitive tournaments going into Saturday’s opener.

The champion of 2016-17 season, Aizawl has managed to retain the nucleus of the side which turned up for it least season and has also made some new signings.

The likes of Liberian defensive wall Alfred Jaryan and his partner Richard Kasagga of Uganda are still around and so are midfielders like David, Isac, Lalremsanga, Rocharzela.

Aizawl also has William Lalnunfella back from a brief flirtation with Bagan.

Ayush Dev Chetri and Techi Tatra are two young forwards who would be looking to make a mark if played.