Not much benefit at home in ISL | Soccer

By winning two of their eight home games, ATK became champion of the first and third editions of the Indian Super League (ISL), in 2014 and 2016. So despite a winning percentage (based on the number of wins and 48.57 at home ATK is enjoying such success, Steve Coppell's team should not be worried about Kolkata's first two games which ended in defeats. have won the franchise league which is in its fifth season. The home record of the defending champions and winners of the 2015 edition is better than ATK's, but 16 wins in 35 games in Chennai would not be intimidating. The proof is that both games ended in defeats for coach John Gregory's men.

Yet, at 60%, Chennaiyin FC has the second highest percentage of success in the 10-team league. Bengaluru FC is at the top of the list with 69.23% and is the only team to have won the majority of home games (eight out of 13 so far). But with Jamshedpur FC, they were not part of the first three editions.

The fact that the semifinalists of the 2017-18 season have gained more points in the evidence shows that the house advantage has not yet taken root in this nascent competition. lasted less than three months during the first three seasons before becoming a six-year campaign. Teams who change coaches and players could also explain why they were conservative at home, said a team manager who asked for anonymity because he was not allowed to speak to the media.

"At the beginning of the season, you are looking for rhythm. You seek a familiarity between your players. You seek to establish a style that can succeed. Until you have three games against four, you're looking for a little, "said Coppell, whose team has scored four points in his last two away games.

On the road, the teams could be more relaxed and seek to get their foot in. The break rather than take the initiative, said the official who has been involved in ISL since 2014. The chatter and the singing incessant that make the stadiums at home daunting also do not occur, perhaps because the teams are still building dedicated support be present at every home game in significant numbers.That except in Goa and Mumbai sites with athletic tracks may also prevent the local team from not feeding on the crowd

"I'm not sure why … there are not many teams. who had a dominant home record ( in the ISL) To be a successful team, you need to have a good record at home. We aspire to be part of the group that has a solid record at home, "said Coppell. To this end, good results Friday and Wednesday against the finalist Bengaluru FC could be useful.

First published: Oct. 26, 2018 08:42 IST