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Football is the world’s sport, the whole world wants a piece of it. Football is easily bigger than a sport, its a culture. In most countries now, it is played throughout the year. Weekends are for football games and the sport has trickled down to their culture.
In India, however the game is still dormant. Many football critics have termed Indian Football as a sleeping giant. There is no dearth of talent in the country but unfortunately the system that is required to nurture this talent is incompetent. Grassroot level football is deficient in all possible ways, and football as a sportis virtually non-existent at the schooling level.
Inspite, of all this India has a number of really hard-working group of players as its national team. With the coming of coach Bob Houghton, India has not only won trophies but also nurtured players who are capable of competing in worthy foreign leagues.
Subrata Pal (GK) He is the heart-throb of the team, by standards of world football he is competent enough to be playing in a bigger league of players. His composure on the ball and authority in the box at set-pieces is unmatched in Indian Football.
Bob Houghton has poured praise on him from time to time, easily the most recognized figure in Indian Football after Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri.
Subrata Pal plays for Pune FC and has previously played at clubs like Mohun Bagan and Kingfisher East Bengal.
Anwar Ali (DF)
He is young and he has gained some really valuable experience with 18 caps already. Anwar plays for Dempo and is likely to be a regular in the team from now on.
Anwar has age on his side and with senior defenders such as Mahesh Gawli getting oppotunities to play around the world – he will learn a lot from them.
Mahesh Gawli (DF)
A pillar in the Indian Side, with 56 caps for he team he is an inspiration for the young side at age thirty. His contribution to this team is commendable and his presence provides solidity to the defense.
Surkumar Singh (DF)
Surkumar Singh is a key player in the Indian team as he is valuable to the defense as well as the exceptional when it comes to contributing to attack. He is naturally a right footed player and teams up well with Steven Dias.
He has 4 goals to his name and at age 27. There seems to be no stopping him.
Gourmangi Singh (DF)The name that is now becoming familiar in footballing circles after his trail at Melbourne Heart FC. He did not get through but he is said to have won many hearts there. Gouramangi is the tallest among the Indian players and has a dominatiing presence in the back ine. His runs on the left flank are threatening.
With his height and effective technique, he is a natural for set-plays. With almost every trophy in the domestic space to his name and aged 24 he has a long way to go.
N.Pradeep (MF)
Pradeep has earned 32 caps with the India team at his age of 27 scoring ten goals for the national side. A decent record that is bound to improve. Pradeep is valuable at set-pieces in support to Steven Dias or in his absence. He has good passing abilities as is required of all good midfielders.
Renedy Singh (MF)
The old horse of the India team and a national hero after his stunning extra time free kick that helped India win the ONGC Nehru Cup 2009. Renedy is exceptional with his crossing and set-plays. One of the most under-rated Indian players, he can be called the Ryan Giggs of Indian Football.
Steven Dias (MF)
The man who is increasingly becoming a fan favorite for his role as the playmaker of the side. Steven Dias is a brilliant handler of the ball in the mid-field, his calculated moves have many a times culminated in special goals for India.
Born on Christmas eve, Steven Dias is a blessing to Indian Football with his creativity on the pitch. Dias has 31 caps with the Indian team now and has scored 8 valuable goals while setting up numerous for the strikers.
Mehrajuddin Wadoo (MF)
Wadoo played as the playmaker in the absence of Steven Dias at the recently held match-up against Namibia. He has 25 caps with team and has been largely unknown inspite of some excellent performances. His presence on the pitch is commanding and Wadoo is a good leader. His single goal does not speak much of the potential that he does possess.
Climax Lawrence (MF)
With over 5o caps for the Indian National Team Climax is a senior player in the team. Playing for Dempo in the league he has earned himself a place among the best. Again his 2 goals stop short of his abilities but his contribution in the team’s performance is priceless. A well known campaigner for the Indian Football fans.
Bhaichung Bhutia (FW)
Who does not know this name in India? Bhaichung Bhutia is the face of Indian football. With the most number of caps 101, the Indian Captain has teamed up well with Bob Houghton to give rise to a wonderfully capable team. Bhaichung has played for the two best clubs in India, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.
As is also widely known Bhutia is the first professional Indian footballer to have played in Europe with Bury F.C. Three time Indian Player of the year award winner I.M.Vijayan has described Bhutia as “God’s Gift to Indian Fottball.”
His partnership with Delhi boy Sunil Chetri has been one of India’s greatest strengths. Bhutia has great aerial presence in the box and can produce thunderous strikes from inside and outside the box.
Sunil Chhetri (FW)
The newly crowned king of Indian Football, Chhetri has impressed one and all. His off the ball movement makes him a potent strike partner for Bhutia. Bhutia and Chhetri’s ability to find each other on the pitch with great ease has resulted in the pair scoring a gallore of goals in the recent past of 2008- present.
Chhetri is now plying his trade with the Kansas City wizards. We hope that he will replicate his success with the Indian Team there too hence opening avenues for Indian players in International Leagues. Chhetri has scored 16 goals in 34 games.
Gourmangi Singh
Subrata Paul
