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Sportskeeda continues the review of the 2012-13 I-League by paying tribute to the best Indian performers.
Sandip Nandy (Churchill Brothers)
The 38 year old was undoubtedly the best goalkeeper of this season as he kept the maximum clean sheets (12) and played a key role in the Goan club’s second I-League triumph. Incredibly, Sandip was also the only goalkeeper to play every minute of his side’s campaign, which also proved to be record-breaking on a personal front as he became the first player to win the domestic league with four different clubs and the title was also his fifth overall.
The veteran custodian’s consistency proved many critics wrong after being denied a new contract by East Bengal last season and the fine club form saw him make a sensational return to the Indian national team also.
Harmanjot Singh Khabra (East Bengal)
The Punjabi lad has become an indispensable figure at East Bengal after another consistent campaign in which he operated in various different positions. Khabra is one of the most versatile players in Indian football and coach Trevor Morgan made full use of that quality by making him play across the midfield and both as left and right back.
In every position, the 24 year old showed the kind of commitment and desire that every East Bengal fan craves for but more importantly, he always did a job for his team and coach. Khabra also contributed with three important goals and was very unlucky not to get a call-up to the Indian team for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers.
Arata Izumi (Pune FC)
(Image credits: AIFF Media)
The 2012-13 campaign will go down as the best of Arata’s professional career because he not only helped Pune FC to finish in their highest-ever position in the I-League but the 30 year old also fulfilled his wish of becoming an international footballer as he made his debut for India.
The Japanese-born player was rewarded with a place in Wim Koevermans’s squad after a superb season with Pune as he netted five goals, thus being one of the most prolific midfielders, and often came up with the goods when his team needed the most. Arata’s class and versatility was important for PFC as he played across the midfield and was undoubtedly one of the most consistent Indian players.
