This time the league was expanded to 11 teams with the late addition of East Bengal, and each team played the other on a home and away basis during the regular season, although, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, this was only notional; this season as all the games were played in the Goa region.
The last day of the regular season began with a number of issues still to be decided, including who would clinch the last relegation place. And it was last seasons Shield winners Goa who took it, after they held their nearest challengers Hyderabad to a goalless draw.
It was a disappointing end to the season for Hyderabad who had finished bottom of the league in their first season in the ISL, but had improved significantly, only to just miss out in the end.
The big drama though was reserved for the final match of the season between the defending champions ATK Mohun-Bagan (ATKMB) and Mumbai City, both of whom had already qualified. At stake was the Shield for regular season league winners, and the place in the AFC (Asan Football Confederation) Champions League that goes with it.
And although ATKMB started the match with a three point lead, it was Mumbai who won 2 0 to pip them to the Shield on goal difference.
That result also means that Mumbai will face Goa in the semi-finals, whilst ATKMB will face the other qualified team NorthEast United.
The action gets underway on Friday night with Goa hosting Mumbai at the Fatorda Stadium in Margao, with the reverse fixture on Monday at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim. Meanwhile NorthEast will be the notional home side against ATKMB in Bambolim on Saturday, with the second leg at the Fatorda Stadium on Tuesday.
The final itself will take place at the Fatorda Stadium on Saturday 13th March.