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It’s a well-known formula for the aged stars of world football to lengthen their careers by having a stint or two in the Indian Super League (ISL). However, the fourth season which kicks off on November 17, will see a few promising figures of this very country, make their ways back to top-level football, after their times in wilderness. Here’s a look at five such players:
Ashim Biswas (Jamshedpur FC):
The man, whose prowess in front of the goal was rarely matchable when he was at his peak, went off the radar just before ISL took India by storm in 2014. Ashim’s portfolio is a glittering one as he has plied his trade for all the three big Kolkata clubs – Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan, in addition to earning a national cap at the age of 20. However, poor form and injuries saw the talented striker doing the hard shifts in second division I-League and then slogging it out for Southern Samity in the Calcutta Football League until recently. However, times have changed and at 33, Ashim has got a new lease of life thanks to Jamshedpur FC, who signed him in the 2017 ISL draft.
Biswajit Saha (Mumbai City FC):
Having risen through the ranks of Calcutta Football League minnows, George Telegraph, the left back joined Mohun Bagan and then went on to play an instrumental role in Atletico de Kolkata’s triumph in the inaugural ISL season. However, his contract was cancelled by the champions in 2015 which left him in the lurch. He then gave trials at East Bengal but couldn’t make much of it. After staying in wilderness for almost two years, Biswajit will finally get a chance to redeem himself in Mumbai City FC colours.
Dhanachandra Singh (Chennaiyin FC):
The well built centre-back who was spotted by Chennaiyin FC after impressive I-League spells with Mumbai FC, United SC and Mohun Bagan, was a rock solid figure in the defence of the 2015 ISL champions. However, an injury while playing for the Green and Maroon brigade, the next year, ended his hopes of turning out for Chennaiyin in the 2016 edition. Having fully recovered, Dhanachandra will now try to give his best for Chennaiyin, who bought him back in the draft.
Abhra Mondal (Bengaluru FC):
He may be on the other side of 30 but the Kolkata-born shot-stopper brings with him a lot of experience and for this very reason Bengaluru FC decided to put their money on him. Having spent most of his time at East Bengal, Abhra’s true acumen came to the fore when he turned out for Pune FC in I-league between 2011 and 2013. He was the protagonist behind the club’s record 11-match unbeaten streak in India’s top-tier competition. A rough 2016-17 I-league season with Chennai City FC didn’t help Abhra, but he will get a chance to re-unite with his former teammate and India’s No. 1 goalkeeper, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu at Bengaluru FC.
Collin Abranches (Bengaluru FC):
It’s been an ueven career for the defender, who came into limelight due to his impressive performances for Air India and Salgaocar. Later Mohammedan gave him a taste of Kolkata football but Abranches couldn’t prove his mettle in the City of Joy. He turned out for Bengaluru based club, Ozone FC in 2016-17 second division I-League and Bengaluru FC came calling in the draft. The 25-year-old has looked sharp in the recent practice matches and this is his prime chance to make it big.
