ISL 2018-19: Roundup of first four seasons 

#4 ISL 2017-18 (Champions - Chennaiyin FC)

Bengaluru FC were undisputedly the best team in the league stage as they won 13, drew 1, and lost 4 out of their 18 matches

This was the first time two new teams -- namely Jamshedpur FC and Bengaluru FC -- took part in the football Mundial. Bengaluru made a shift from the I-league while Jamshedpur FC was an entirely new team built from scratch.

The first match of the season was played on 17 November 2017 while the last match was played on March 4.

It was bound to be a long season as each team had to play 18 matches each in the league stage. A new rule was added in a bid to promote local talent. The number of foreign players which could be signed by a club was limited to eight (compared to the 11 during previous three seasons).

The maximum number of foreigners who could take the field at a time was also reduced from six to five.

A mind-boggling 261 goals were scored in the 95 matches played, averaging 2.75 goals per match. Ferran Corominas became the top scorer with 18 goals while Subrata Pal of Jamshedpur FC got the best goalkeeper award (102.74 minutes per goal).

Marcelinho, Emiliano Alfaro, Kalu Uche, Miku, Manuel Lanzarote, and Sunil Chhetri were the other standout performers of the league.

Bengaluru FC were undisputedly the best team in the league stage as they won 13, drew one, and lost four out of their 18 matches and finished on the top with 40 points. Chennaiyin, which came in at second in the league stage, had 32 points.

This wide gap of eight points between the first and second placed teams shows the dominance Bengaluru had in their first season itself. FC Goa and Pune City were the other two clubs to make it to the playoffs but both of them were eliminated, the former by Chennaiyin and the latter by Bengaluru.

The final was another cracker as Sunil Chhetri gave The Blues the lead in the ninth minute. However, it was Chennaiyin who were leading at halftime with a brace from Alves. Augosto netted another goal for the Marina Machans to seal the deal and ensure a second ISL trophy for them. Miku scored a consolation goal in the 92nd minute.

Mailson Alves scored a brace in the final

Each ISL season presents with it new challenges and emerging talents along with it. There are some players who steal the show and come into the limelight while some fail to make an impact. All-in-all, the ISL witnesses a lot of drama and the upcoming season promises to bring even more of that.

---

Who do you think will be the Champions of ISL 2018-19? Do share your opinion in the comments section below.