'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With the I-League scheduled to begin in the last week of November, the teams are making their last minute preparations. As per the records and squads, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Aizwal FC are the top contenders for winning the 11th edition of the tournament. While Aizwal FC are the defending champions, Mohun Bagan won the title during the 2014-15 season. East Bengal is still in the hunt for its maiden I-League win and they have a bright chance of making it a possibility this season.
Let us have a look at 5 players who could play a crucial role in East Bengal’s I-League campaign this season:
#5 Cavin Lobo
After losing out on a major part of last year’s I-League due to injury, the Goan midfielder is sure to give his best this season. After drawing much attention during his Dempo and Mumbai FC days, he was signed up by East Bengal in 2012.
The main feature of his game is that he is very hard working and takes a lot of load in the midfield and often initiates the attack. Cavin’s left kick is quite effective and has been on target on many occasions in the past. He was a part of the 2014 Indian Super League winning Atletico de Kolkata team and then played for Kerala Blasters FC the next season.
The game maker made his International debut against Nepal when he was fielded as a substitute for Lenny Rodrigues. He is one of the few players to give the cash-rich ISL a miss and sign for an I-League team instead.
#4 Willis Plaza
Willis Plaza promised a lot to the East Bengal faithful when he made the long flight from the Caribbean islands last season. Despite making a bright start, his spark faded off midway through the annual tournament. Much to everyone’s surprise, he was retained by the club this year giving him a second chance to prove his worth.
Having played 14 matches for East Bengal last season, he scored 9 goals and formed a consistent partnership upfront with Haitian striker Wedson Anselme, but failed to guide East Bengal to its first ever I-League win. Plaza is a player who has the potential to turn the game upside down single handily and his dribbling skills were also very visible during the last season.
The Trinidad and Tobago International has his roots in the ‘City of Joy’ with his ancestors living in the southern part of India. Plaza was a close friend of West Indian cricketer Sunil Narine and even played cricket until his coach advised him to play football. Time will tell whether the striker can steer his team to an I-League triumph and end their 14-year wait for a national league title.
#3 Arnab Mondal
Starting his youth career with Mohammedan Sporting Club in 2007, the Behala-boy started his professional career with Prayag and then moved to heavyweights East Bengal in 2012. Since then, it has been no looking back for the central defender, his graph went uphill and he is still going strong.
Arnab Mondal has established himself as the one of the best centre backs in the country for the past 5 years. After performing well consistently in the domestic circuit for East Bengal, he was called up for the Indian U-23 side for the 2012 Summer Olympic Qualifiers. Subsequently, he earned a berth in the senior side in 2013, and has 25 International caps to his name till date.
Mondal is a tough customer to deal with at the heart of the defence and is solidly known for his style of play. With the likes of Gurwinder Singh alongside him, it will be a tedious task for the rivals to find the back of the net.
#2 Mahmoud Amnah
Mahmoud Amnah, popularly known as Al-Amnah, was the mastermind behind Aizwal FC’s historic triumph in the I-League last season. He was roped in by the Red and Gold brigade early in the season and played quite well in the Calcutta Football League earlier this year.
Sadly, for the North-East club, they would miss the services of the Syrian International during their title defence and their continental play-offs. East Bengal who are in hot pursuit for a maiden I-League title believe that the experienced midfielder will be a threat to any team. Earlier this year, he scored the equaliser from the spot against Mohun Bagan in the deciding clash of the Calcutta Football League at the Kanchenjunga Stadium.
It will be interesting to see how he plays alongside Japanese Katsumi Yusa who is an equally talented footballer. The two foreign recruits along with Indian stars Mohammad Rafique and Cavin Lobo will form a lethal frontline for East Bengal.
#1 Katsumi Yusa
The crafty midfielder from Japan is one of the most successful foreigners in the Indian circuit since the last five years. Katsumi Yusa did wonders for arch-rivals Mohun Bagan since he joined the club in 2013. His combination with Haitian Sony Norde was unmatched by any and helped the Green and Maroon brigade lift the I-League title in 2015 and also the Federation Cup in 2015-16.
East Bengal pulled off one of the biggest shocks this season by signing the playmaker from their biggest competitor for the upcoming season. Katsumi has the ability to hold the ball in midfield and distribute it to the forwards; while his skills will act as an added flair. He is very agile during his runs and is capable of making quick movements while on the attack.
Yusa was a pivotal figure in many important matches for the ‘Mariners’ and even haunted East Bengal’s defence during the Kolkata Derbies, it will be interesting to see how he performs in the red and gold jersey against his former club.
