2022–23 Hero I-League 2nd Division (known as Hero 2022–23 2nd Division League) was the 15th season of the
I-League 2nd Division
The I-League 2 is an Indian men's professional association football, football league. It is the 3rd tier of the Indian football league system, behind the Indian Super League and the I-League. It operates as a system of promotion and relegation ...
since its establishment in 2008. This was the first season of I-League 2nd Division since rebranding as the third tier of
Indian football league system
The Indian football league system is the league structure of football club competitions in India. The highest level of men's club football competition is the Indian Super League. Indian Women's League, founded in 2016, is the highest level of ...
. The league's group stage has been played from March to May 2023, parallel to the remaining part of both
I-League
The I-League is the men's second professional football division of the Indian football league system behind the Indian Super League. Administered by the All India Football Federation, it is currently contested by 13 clubs. It operates as a s ...
and
Indian Super League
The Indian Super League (ISL) is a professional association football league in India and the highest level of the Indian football league system. Administered by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial partner Football Sport ...
seasons. The top two teams on the league table, Delhi and Shillong Lajong, secured a place in the
2023–24 I-League
The 2023–24 I-League was the 17th season of the I-League and the second season as the second tier of Indian football league system.
Mohammedan won the I-League for the first time and were promoted to the Indian Super League, while TRAU and ...
season.
On 27 September 2022, the league committee meeting presided by Lalnghinglova Hmar was held. It was initially decided that 15 teams would participate in the upcoming season, including the reserve sides of ISL teams. The final phase of the league will be played on a home-and-away basis.
However, on 16 December, the league committee decided that 20 teams would play in I-League 2, consisting of 12 state league champions along with 6 ISL reserve sides and two qualification tournament winners.
On 13 January, the League committee decided that two clubs would be promoted to I-League, and two relegated clubs, along with the remaining three final-round clubs, would directly qualify for the final round of next season.
Changes from last season
* The league will have state league champions or other eligible teams nominated by their respective state football associations besides the six reserve teams of the Indian Super League.
* Teams will be divided into zones to minimize the travel, and the winners from each zone will qualify for the final phase.
* The final round will be played on a home and away basis, consisting of 5 teams.
* The two among five teams who finish at the top of the table after the final phase is promoted to the l-League.
* The two relegated I-League teams and the other three final phase teams will directly qualify for the I-League 2 final phase next season.
* Mandatory club licensing criteria are removed for participating in the league.
Qualification
Selection criteria
# State association can nominate the state league champions or other clubs based on the conducted state leagues in the previous season.
# State association can also nominate other clubs for the qualifier tournament without the state league.
# Nominated institutional clubs are ineligible for participation in the league.
Teams selection through state leagues
As per AIFF, teams will be selected to participate in I-League 2 through
state leagues A state league is a level of competition in Australian sport directly below that of a national league. Most of these competitions are based in a single state or territory, and from this the term originates. State leagues are generally semi-profess ...
nominations. Only the top-qualified team can be nominated from the state league. KLASA FC was the champions of the Manipur state league, but the All Manipur Football Association didn't nominate it but instead nominated the 5th position KIYC. AIFF decided not to allow any club from Manipur in the competition.
Reserve teams
The reserve teams of the 6 Indian Super League clubs will participate. However, they would not be eligible for promotion.
Qualification tournament
The states that did not conduct their leagues in the previous season nominated respective clubs to participate in the qualification tournament. The top 2 teams qualified for I-league 2.
Qualifier group
Clubs
Stadiums and locations
Personnel and kits
Group stage
6 Indian Super League reserve sides play in this round, along with 12 state champions and two state qualification tournament winners.
Twenty teams are divided into four groups of 5, where each team plays each other twice in a home and away format. Each group winner along with the best second placed team qualify for the final round.
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Ranking of second-placed teams
Since Group B has fewer teams, the result against fifth-placed teams in other groups will not be counted for the table ranking below.
Final round
The top 5 teams from the group stage will play each other in the final round in a single-leg format. The top 2 teams will qualify for the I-League.
Season statistics
Top scorers
:''As of 26 May 2023''
Hat-tricks
Clean sheets
:''As of 26 May 2023''
Discipline
Player
* Most yellow cards: 4
** Gaurav Rawat
** Himanshu Patil
** Shahmeer Tariq
** Aron Vanlalrinchhana
* Most red cards: 1
**''18 players''
Club
* Most yellow cards: 21
**FC Bengaluru United
* Most red cards: 3
**FC Goa (R)
Attendances
Overall statistical table
See also
*
2022–23 Indian Super League
The 2022–23 Indian Super League was the ninth season of the Indian Super League, the first season as the only top division, and the 27th season of top-tier Indian football league system, Indian football. It commenced on 7 October 2022 and conc ...
*
2022–23 I-League
The 2022–23 I-League (also known as the Hero I-League for sponsorship reasons) was the 16th season of I-League, first as the second tier of Indian football league system. It was played from 12 November 2022 to 12 March 2023.
After a 4–0 wi ...
*
2022–23 Elite Youth League
*
2023 RF Development League
References
Further reading
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External links
I-LeagueAIFF
{{DEFAULTSORT:2022-23 I-League 2
I-League 2 seasons
2022–23 in Indian football leagues
2022–23 in Asian third-tier association football leagues