Indian Football: Igor Stimac's Unpicked XI - Bora, Lenny, Seriton big misses in Stimac's balanced squad

Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem (Kerala Blasters)

Dheeraj Singh announced his arrival in the Indian football scene with his quick reflexes under the bar at the FIFA U-17 World Cup

Dheeraj signed for Kerala Blasters before the 2018-19 ISL season's commencement and was given a fight for a place in the starting line-up by Naveen Kumar. However, he claimed the No 1 spot as the season progressed and made a total of 13 appearances in the ISL.

Dheeraj had four clean sheets in the tournament, a number bettered only by Amrinder, Gurpreet, and Pawan Kumar who played more matches than him. Stimac went ahead with Vishal Kaith, the second-choice goalkeeper for FC Pune City, rather than him. Had Dheeraj been included in the national team camp, he would have gained valuable experience.

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Seriton Fernandes (FC Goa)

Seriton Fernandes has been consistent in the right-back position for 2 years but is yet to be called up

Seriton Fernandes has been outstanding for FC Goa in the last two seasons but is yet to get a national team call-up. The right-back has been as solid as a rock in the back but sufficiently agile to overlap on the wings.

In the current season, Seriton played all of Goa's matches in the ISL and the Super Cup. Having made a total of 88 tackles, 22 interceptions, 53 clearances, and 31 blocks in the ISL, Seriton's defensive statistic is enough to prove his naysayers wrong.

In the attacking front, the 26-year-old has made 851 passes and 32 crosses, which resulted in two assists. The current squad has two very strong right-backs in the form of Rahul Bheke and Pritam Kotal. Perhaps, that is the reason Stimac overlooked him.