'Delhi Needs Top-Level Football' - Jamshedpur FC Coach Owen Coyle Endorses Football's Revival In National Capital

Sporting Club Delhi delivered a 1-1 draw against an in-form Jamshedpur FC in their first home match of the 2025-25 Indian Super League season at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Thursday, March 20, 2026.

Delhi were leading in the majority of the match courtesy of the 21st-minute goal by Joseph Sunny, which was cancelled by Nikola Stojanovic’s last-gasp equaliser.

It was Delhi's first match in seven years, as their own Delhi Dynamos had rebranded and become Odisha FC ahead of the 2019-20 season. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Odisha government and shifted their base to Bhuvneshwar from Delhi.

Some of the primary reasons for the shift were:

Low Fan Engagement: Delhi Dynamos suffered with low fan turnout during her stint. Despite being the national capital, there was a low spectator turnout (averaging around 7,000 in a 60,000 capacity stadium).

Operational Difficulties: Another reason for the departure of the club was the high cost of building a strong and dedicated fanbase in Delhi, which prompted them to look for other options.

Governmental Support: The Delhi Dynamos management received a better deal from Odisha government, where they were provided a conducive football environment and infrastructural support.

But now, top-level football has got a new lease of life in the capital with the arrival of Sporting FC Delhi, which was previously known as Hyderabad FC. Financial troubles led to a change of ownership, thus giving Delhi its new team in the ISL.

Owen Coyle Backs Football’s Revival in Delhi

Jamshedpur FC's coach Owen Coyle backs the revival of football in Delhi. He hails Delhi's football infrastructure and points out how to revive the glory of football in the capital.

In the press conference after the match, Coyle said, "I think it's important that there's top-level football in Delhi. It goes without saying that there's a history and tradition of clubs originating from Delhi. It's a magnificent stadium, obviously, but the pitch wasn't at the level it should be because nothing had been done. When the pitch is up to the level it should be, this is an arena that would stand anywhere in modern football, and I've been fortunate to have been in these stadiums in the world. Of course, Delhi are a top-tier club."

Meanwhile Sporting Club Delhi's coach, Tomasz Tchorz also lauded the culture for football in Delhi. The former Polish player went on to say that Delhi is one of those places in India that is interested in football and he's glad about that.

While speaking after the match, Tomas Tchorz said, "Delhi wants football, there are places in India in which you can say that people want football and Delhi is one of them, so I'm very happy."

History Of Delhi Football

Delhi have had rich legacy when it comes to professional football.

Durand Cup: It is one of the oldest and most coveted football tournaments in the world, and Delhi has had a very old connection with the league as its leaders, including the Delhi Soccer Association (DSA), have been pivotal in hosting and nurturing the history of football in the country by holding top-tier tournaments at places like Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Close Ties With East Bengal: Delhi have had a close and everlasting relationship with East Bengal - one of the country's oldest and iconic football clubs.

Delhi have a huge population of Bengali people, with Chittaranjan Park becoming the most popular one, where many ardent fans of the club live. These people form a classic support base of the club, who have supported and witnessed some of the most iconic matches of the club in Delhi.

Oldest Clubs: Delhi have been home to some of the oldest clubs in India like Youngmen FC (est. 1895) and Mughals SC, which have enriched the football culture of the city for over a century.

Delhi FC: Founded in 1994, Delhi FC has been one of the most prominent football clubs of the city and has won titles like the I-League 2 and the Climate Cup (2023), while actively taking part in top-tier national football.

Sudeva FC: It is one of Delhi's most recent and fastest-growing clubs. It has become the first club from Delhi to gain promotion to the I-League on the basis of sporting merit. The main objective of the club is player development and holds its matches at the Ambedkar and Chhatrasal Stadiums.

Draw Takes Delhi Above Kerala Blasters

Delhi almost snatched a win against a strong Jamshedpur unit as they were ahead in the majority of the match until a 89th-minute brilliance from Nikola Stojanovic snatched away two points from the hosts.

After losing the first three matches, Delhi made an inspirational comeback to play a draw against Mumbai City FC after trailing 0-2. Then, in their first home game of the season against another top-tier Jamshedpur FC, they were ahead for almost the entirety of the match.

It was a good beginning of a new relationship with the home fans as 12,000 fans came to watch the match, and Delhi put on a good show in front of them.