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

These players were unlucky to miss out on Igor Stimac's preliminary squad for the national camp
These players were unlucky to miss out on Igor Stimac's preliminary squad for the national camp

Gaurav Bora (Chennai City FC)

Gaurav Bora (right) became the first Assamese player to win the I-League
Gaurav Bora (right) became the first Assamese player to win the I-League

Gaurav Bora played a pivotal role in Chennai City FC's I-League title-winning campaign, scoring two goals in the final matchday against Minerva Punjab which made all the difference. The Assamese also forged a solid partnership in the heart of the defence with Roberto Eslava and led the all-Indian backline in the Super Cup.

Bora was given a chance to prove his mettle in the AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers but high pressing from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan made him prone to mistakes, which resulted in untimely goals.


Joyner Lourenco (Jamshedpur FC)

Joyner Lourenco played a pivotal role in Mumbai City FC's road to playoffs
Joyner Lourenco played a pivotal role in Mumbai City FC's road to playoffs

Mumbai City FC had a resurgence after FC Goa's 5-0 drubbing which saw them concede only 4 goals in eight matches, keeping 5 clean sheets in the process. Lourenco suffered an injury in Mumbai's last game against Kerala Blasters before the winter break. In the ensuing six matches in his absence, the Islanders conceded eight goals in six matches.

In the 10 matches for Mumbai City FC in the ISL, Lourenco made 30 tackles, 11 interceptions, 57 clearances, and 22 blocks. Jamshedpur FC have already signed him for the next season but Salam Ranjan Singh, Anwar Ali (Jr), and Sandesh Jhinghan's presence in the squad means he has to be satisfied with a spot in the Unpicked XI.

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