Sahal Abdul Samad is a player that attracts a lot of eyeballs in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL). The 24-year-old is adored by the Kerala Blasters faithful but the attention and the affection for him is not limited to the boundaries of Kerala.

ATK Mohun Bagan from the east and Kerala Blasters FC of the west-coast will reignite their fierce rivalry when the teams go head-to-head at the Fatorda Stadium, in the curtain raiser of the 2021-22 Hero Indian Super League (ISL), on November 19 evening.

ATK Mohun Bagan coach Antonio Habas said his team will play their own game against Kerala Blasters in the opening match of the Hero ISL 2021-22 season but will go into the field with nothing but respect for their opponents at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa.

Kerala Blaster FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic will not let history bog down Kerala Blasters as they take on ATK Mohun Bagan in their Hero ISL 2021-22 opening match at the Jawahrlal Nehru stadium in Margao, Goa.

NorthEast United’s ten games unbeaten streak under interim coach Khalid Jamil, after being winless in six matches, in the second half of the 2020-21 season was nothing less than a fairytale. Courtesy of which, the Highlanders not only made it to the semi-finals but were level pegging with ATK Mohun Bagan till the second leg of the semi-final.

NorthEast United FC were well on the course to crash out of the title-race midway through last season of Hero Indian Super League (ISL), when the axe fell on Spanish coach Gerard Nus. Already in the scheme of things from the sidelines, experienced Indian tactician Khalid Jamil was handed over the reins for the rest of the season. Little did everyone know what was in store for the Highlanders.

Chennaiyin FC had a campaign to forget in the previous season of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) as they finished eighth in the league standings with just 20 points. To turn things around this time out, the Marina Machans have brought in Montenegrin Bozidar Bandovic as their new manager, announced a new captain, and acquired five new overseas signings.

Chennaiyin FC would be looking to add a third title to their trophy cabinet, after an underwhelming Hero Indian Super League 2020-21 season, which saw them finish eighth in the table. The Marina Machans scored the least goals last season, and the former champions would be aiming to be a lot more clinical in front of goal.

Mumbai City FC will make a run to defend their title in the upcoming Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 season. The Islanders finished at the top of the table in the league stage and won the Hero ISL trophy last season. They managed to collect forty points in twenty matches, equal to what ATK Mohun Bagan gathered.

Last season turned out to be a historic one for the Islanders as they became the first team to win both -- the League Winners’ Shield as well as the ISL trophy. With head coach Sergio Lobera - who managed the club’s outstanding campaign last season - stepping down, the side will be managed by former Melbourne City assistant coach, Des Buckingham for the Hero ISL 2021-22 season.

Chennaiyin FC have appointed Anirudh Thapa as their captain for the Hero Indian Super League 2021-22 season. The midfielder has been a mainstay for the Marina Machans ever since he made his debut in the ISL back in 2016 and continues to be one of their most capped players.

ATK Mohun Bagan had a fabulous Hero ISL 2020-21 season. The Mariners finished joint top with Mumbai City FC in the league and ended runners-up in the knockout stage. The club garnered 40 points in 20 matches, losing only 4 times.