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League tables tell you who finished where. Data tells you why. The INAL League this season wasn’t decided by luck, moments, or narratives we like to repeat on highlight shows. It was decided by patterns , how teams progressed the ball, where they created danger, how efficiently they finished, and how consistently they defended. When we look closely at the numbers, four very distinct identities emerge: Capital Complex FC , the standard setters Siang Warriors FC , competitive but conservative FC Xiga United , attack-first risk takers Subansiri United FC , the quiet balancers Same league. Same opponents. Very different football.
Capital Complex FC: What Dominance Actually Looks Like
Capital Complex FC didn’t just top the table. They owned the league. Their first-place finish wasn’t built on one strength , it was built on alignment across every phase of play. Progression as a Weapon Start with how they moved the ball. 183 successful forward passes per 90 93 progressive passes per 90 293 completed passes in the final third per 90 These are league-leading numbers, and they matter because they describe territorial control. Capital Complex weren’t just circulating possession , they were constantly pushing opponents backwards. Forward passes show intent. Progressive passes show execution. Final-third volume shows sustained pressure. Capital Complex had all three. Turning Territory Into Threat Their dominance didn’t stop at ball movement. 14.55 chances created per 90 7.1 passes completed inside the penalty box per 90 18.32 successful dribbles per 90 This combination is key. Many teams progress the ball well but struggle to translate it into box presence. Capital Complex did both , repeatedly. Their dribble numbers suggest something else too: they didn’t rely solely on structure. When structure broke down, players could still win duels and break lines individually. Efficiency Over Flash Their finishing numbers weren’t spectacular , but they were sufficient. 8.59% shot conversion rate Strong balance across close, long, and headed attempts They didn’t chase low-quality shots. They waited for the right ones. Across the season: 39 goals scored Only 12 conceded +27 goal difference That goal difference isn’t an accident. It’s what happens when chance creation, finishing discipline, and defensive control align. Defending Like a Champion Defensively: 14.28 successful tackles per 90 45.35% tackle accuracy Solid ground and aerial duel success Capital Complex didn’t defend desperately. They defended early. Their structure reduced the number of emergency situations , which is exactly what title-winning teams do. This wasn’t just the best team in the league. This was the benchmark.
Siang Warriors FC: Competitive, But Capped
Second place often tells the most interesting story , because it highlights the gap between “very good” and “champions.” Siang Warriors were solid, organised, and difficult to beat. But the data shows why they couldn’t quite close the distance to the top. Controlled, Not Commanding 115.55 forward passes per 90 60.06 progressive passes per 90 123.71 final-third passes per 90 These numbers are respectable , but they’re significantly lower than Capital Complex. Siang Warriors progressed the ball, but they didn’t suffocate opponents. They were effective in transitions rather than sustained dominance. Chance Creation Without Punch 8.70 chances created per 90 4.21 penalty-box passes per 90 4.80% shot conversion rate This is where the season tilted. Siang Warriors could reach advanced areas, but not often enough inside the box. And when they did shoot, the efficiency just wasn’t there. Across the season: 20 goals scored 19 conceded +1 goal difference That number tells the whole story. Competitive in every match , dominant in very few. Defensive Discipline, Limited Reward 20.71 successful tackles per 90 49.84% tackle accuracy Balanced duel success Defensively, they were one of the league’s more active sides. But defensive work can only take you so far if attacking efficiency doesn’t match it. Siang Warriors didn’t fail. They simply hit their ceiling.
FC Xiga United: When Attacking Intent Drives Results , and Risk
FC Xiga United finished third, but their data profile looks nothing like a conservative mid-table side. They were bold. Sometimes too bold. Creative by Nature 109.06 forward passes per 90 56.71 progressive passes per 90 159.17 final-third passes per 90 11.06 chances created per 90 For a third-place team, these are aggressive attacking numbers. FC Xiga United didn’t sit back. They wanted to play , and play in dangerous zones. 7.16 penalty-box passes per 90 Strong close-shot accuracy (16.07%) They entered the box frequently and created good-quality chances. The Trade-Off 5.46% shot conversion 8.93 successful tackles per 90 34.29% tackle accuracy This is the risk-reward balance in data form. FC Xiga United invested heavily in attack, but defensively they were lighter than the teams above them. Their lower tackle volume and accuracy suggest they relied more on outscoring opponents than controlling games. Still: 25 goals scored 13 conceded +12 goal difference That’s one of the league’s strongest attacking returns. They weren’t reckless. They were committed to a philosophy.
Subansiri United FC: Balance as an Identity
Fourth place rarely gets attention , but Subansiri United quietly put together one of the most complete profiles in the league. They didn’t dominate any single metric. They competed in all of them. Progression Meets Structure 133.86 forward passes per 90 68.03 progressive passes per 90 222.10 final-third passes per 90 Subansiri were comfortable moving the ball forward and sustaining attacks. Their numbers sit right between Capital Complex and the chasing pack , which reflects their league position perfectly. Box Presence Without Overexposure 9.08 penalty-box passes per 90 11.29 chances created per 90 5.00% conversion rate They created enough without forcing situations. Their finishing wasn’t explosive, but it was measured. Defensive Engagement 14.87 successful tackles per 90 43.64% tackle accuracy Strong ground and aerial duel success Subansiri defended with intent, not panic. Season totals: 18 goals scored 14 conceded +4 goal difference This was a team that stayed competitive in every phase, even if they lacked the edge to push higher.
What the League Data Really Tells Us
When you step back, a clear pattern emerges: Titles are won through alignment, not extremes Volume matters , but efficiency decides Defensive numbers explain goal difference better than possession ever will Capital Complex didn’t win because they attacked more. They won because everything they did pointed in the same direction. The gap between first and second wasn’t talent , it was clarity.
Why This Matters for Indian Football
Leagues like the INAL are often judged emotionally. Data lets us judge them accurately. We can now see: Which teams dominate territory Which rely on transitions Which gamble on attack Which value balance This isn’t about replacing football intuition. It’s about sharpening it. And as Indian football continues to evolve, leagues like this , measured, tracked, and understood , are where the real progress begins.