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

Asish Rai (Indian Arrows)

Asish Rai has been sturdy as a rock in the left-back position for Indian Arrows this season
Asish Rai has been sturdy as a rock in the left-back position for Indian Arrows this season

Asish Rai made his debut for Indian Arrows last season under the watchful eyes of Luis Norton de Matos. Then, he used to make appearances only when Sanjeev Stalin or Boris Singh were injured. But, the 20-year-old has been a regular this season in the left-back position under the tutelage of Floyd Pinto.

Fearless when going forward, Asish Rai has a goal and an assist for the Arrows in the I-League. Asish also came on as a substitute for Nishu Kumar in the game against Uzbekistan late in the second half at the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers.

He has expressed his desire to play in the ISL but for the time being, he has to be content with a spot in the Unpicked XI.


Lenny Rodrigues (FC Goa)

Lenny Rodrigues has completed the most number of passes this season
Lenny Rodrigues has completed the most number of passes this season

Lenny Rodrigues is the only player to win both the editions of the Super Cup after winning it with Bengaluru FC the previous year and FC Goa in 2019.

Being the only Indian player to play more than 1,000 passes in the 2018-19 season of ISL with an accuracy of 87.35%, it is hard to figure out why the likes of Germanpreet Singh and Vinit Rai have been given the nod ahead of him.

His 75 tackles, 33 interceptions, 40 clearances, and 18 blocks speaks volumes of his defensive abilities.

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