Intercontinental Cup 2018: The unpicked Indian Football Team

The Unpicked XI of Indian football team
The Unpicked XI of Indian football team

Stephen Constantine announced a 30-man preliminary squad for the upcoming Intercontinental Cup, which is set to start from June 1 at the Mumbai Football Arena. Some notable players like Souvik Chakrabarti, Laldanmawia Ralte, Dhanpal Ganesh, and Ashique Kuruniyan finally made it to the list. Meanwhile, Sunil Chhetri returned after being rested for the AFC Cup qualifier against Kyrgyzstan.

The 55-year-old gaffer has made it clear that no one is supposed to take his place for granted in the side. Players who impressed him in the domestic season have been rewarded. However, he has been on the receiving end of criticism by the pundits for excluding some notable names.

It would be interesting to note the best XI if we only had the excluded players to chose from. Here, we present you the unpicked Indian National Football Team.

P.S. The team will be playing a 4-4-2 formation as that's what the Indian team plays all the time.


#1 Goalkeeper (Captain) - Subrata Pal

Goalkeeper Subrata Paul
The Jamshedpur FC custodian prevented some crucial goals for his team

Subrata Pal is one of the finest goalkeepers the nation has ever produced. The 31-year-old Tata Academy product started all the 18 games for Jamshedpur FC this season and made a total of 44 saves. Moreover, he only conceded 0.83 goals per game which is the least for any ISL goalkeeper.

However, the second-choice goalkeeper of the team made it to Constantine's list. Subrata was sent off in their last ISL game after coming off the line. It was then that Sanjiban Ghosh had made his debut for the 'Men in Steel.' In an impressive performance, Ghosh did exceptionally well in Jamshedpur's first-round Super Cup match against Minerva Punjab. He took the match to penalties making some crucial saves and was also rock solid during the penalties. He saved three shots ensuring a 5-4 win for his side in penalties.

The second choice goalkeeper, Ghosh has been selected over the 'Golden Glove' winner. However, considering how little game time the 26-year-old Ghosh has, and the fact that he was picked over Indian veteran Subrata, he will really need to justify himself whenever he gets the chance.

The 31-year-old Subrata gets to be the captain for the Unpicked XI due to his vast experience.

#2 Left Back - Sanjeev Stalin

Sanjeev Stalin
Sanjeev Stalin

The first of the three U-17 stars who made it to our list is the dead-ball specialist, Sanjeev Stalin. The young and dynamic 17-year-old has already played 17 matches for the India U-17 side and 4 for the U-20 side. He was also selected to play for the Indian Arrows post his exploits at the World Cup.

Constantine has picked so many left-backs in the squad that he could not make a place for Sanjeev. However, the young colt still has a long way to go in his career and playing for the National Team will soon be a reality for him. He has already inscribed his name in the history books as it was through his corner kick that a towering Jeakson Singh headed home India's first ever goal in the FIFA World Cup.

It would have been a huge boost for them to don the national colors but he will have to settle for the Unpicked XI this time around.

#3 Right Back - Adil Khan

Right Back Adil Khan
Adil Khan is FC Pune City's highest Indian goalscorer (Image Credits - ISL)

A lot of Indian players were able to make their mark at ISL this season, and one such player was Adil Khan. The 29-year-old isn't a natural midfielder, but his versatility could have been used in the right-back position.

Having played a total of 1532 minutes for the Stallions, he made 22 vital interceptions and 52 clearances. Moreover, he scored 4 goals and became the highest Indian goalscorer for FC Pune City.

However, the coach went ahead with Davinder Singh, the 22-year-old Mumbai City FC right back, who only played 474 minutes of football this season.

He is the first choice right back in the Unpicked XI for us.

#4 Center Back - Anwar Ali

Anwar Ali was among the top performers for India at the FIFA U17 World Cup
Anwar Ali was among the top performers for India at the FIFA U17 World Cup

One of the heroes of Indian Arrows team and the second player from the FIFA U17 squad, Anwar Ali is next to make it to our list. The 6-feet-tall Punjabi defender could have been extremely useful in preventing aerial attacks had he been selected for the Indian team. Moreover, he has the knack of clearing the ball efficiently with both his feet and his solid build makes him a force to reckon with.

The 17-year-old was one of the four Minerva Punjab players who made it to the World Cup Squad at the last moment. He would have got the opportunity to play alongside Sandesh Jhingan and could have learned a lot, but sadly this was not meant to be and his wait continues.

Picking Salam Ranjan Singh over him is a decision which is quite tough to digest.

#5 Center Back - Rahul Bheke

Ruhul Bheke has been terrific for Bengaluru
Ruhul Bheke has been terrific for Bengaluru FC this season (Image Credits - ISL)

Rahul Bheke defines the word 'Modern day fullback.' Although he is a natural right back, he has done many wonders while playing in the central defensive position. His versatility to play at so many different positions is what makes him an extremely useful resource for the team he plays for.

He played a total of 19 games at ISL, out of which 7 were in the center back position. Moreover, he has 60 clearances to his name. Sandesh Jhingan of the selected squad is the only one with a higher number.

He even scored the equalizer in the game against East Bengal at the Super Cup finale. 2017-18 was the best season for the 27-year-old Mahindra United Youth Academy product, and letting him off from the team is pure injustice.

#6 Midfielder - Lenny Rodrigues

Lenny Rodrigues had a terrific first year with Bengaluru FC
Lenny Rodrigues had a terrific first year with Bengaluru FC

One of the many unsung heroes of Bengaluru FC and who had been left out from the list was Lenny Rodrigues, the committed defensive midfielder.

Having played a total of 1199 minutes, the 31-year-old made 41 tackles, 20 interceptions, 15 clearances and 16 blocks. Having already represented the nation 22 times, his experience would have certainly come in handy during the Intercontinental Cup. He also showed a good passing accuracy this season, with 79.32 success rate.

The coach has chosen some very good defensive midfielders this time. Dhanapal Ganesh and Pronay Halder should definitely cover up India's weakness in the department. However, Lenny would be our first pick in the unpicked XI.

#7 Midfielder - Brandon Fernandes

Brandon Fernandes is the future of Goan football in India
Brandon Fernandes is the future of Goan football in India

Brandon Fernandes was one of the crucial midfielders in guiding FC Goa to a successful season as they finished third. Yet he was not included in the Indian list of probables and remains uncapped in the senior National team.

Naturally, he is an attacking midfielder, but he can play efficiently in the wings as well. Moreover, he is one of the rare Indian players that can pass the ball effectively into the right spaces for forwards to attack. A passing accuracy of 72.44% and an average of 36.53 passes per game speaks a lot about it. His time at Churchill brothers was also very fruitful and he became the highest ball provider with 7 assists during the 2017 season with them.

We don't know what else Brandon has to do to prove his worth as he is one of the most deserving players. His hard work shall ensure that he gets capped soon and being just 23 years, the good thing is that he has time on his side. He is the 2nd midfielder to picked in the Unpicked XI.

#8 Midfielder - Mandar Rao Desai

Mandar Rao Desai is extremely lethal with his left foot
Mandar Rao Desai lethal with his left foot

Another FC Goa player who hasn't been included in the list is Mandar Rao Desai. The 26-year-old Goan dazzled the left side of the midfield for Goa this season. Not every player gets the opportunity to start all the games. However, Sergio Lobera trusted Mandar with it and he did not disappoint his coach one bit.

2 Goals, 3 assists, 39 shots, and 41 crosses during the season speak volumes about his attacking prowess. He has good defensive capabilities as well as he reads the game well and comes up with crucial tackles and interceptions. It is hard to figure what was missing that led to his exclusion.

He could have been a vital asset to the National team and for us, he is the most complete Left-wing player and gets his place in the Unpicked XI.

#9 Midfielder - Michael Soosairaj

Michael Soosairaj was arguably the best midfielder of this year's I-League
Michael Soosairaj was unarguably the best midfielder of this year's I-League

The I-League's breakout star and the only non-Goan to be included in the midfielder section of the Unpicked XI is Michael Soosairaj. The 23-year-old has a knack for holding the ball and dribbling past his opponents and loves playing close-knit football. Moreover, the coaches were so impressed with his skills that they awarded him the 'Best Midfielder of I-League 2017-18.' Although the club finished 9th this season, individually he was a phenomenal resource for Chennai City. That is the reason that he has now been picked up by the ISL club, Jamshedpur FC.

How does the national team coach treat him? He leaves him out and includes Mohammed Rafique and Laldanmawia Ralte. While Ralte is a brilliant right-winger, not many would say about Rafique.

Perhaps, it is due to the style of play that Constantine prefers. If that's the case, Soosairaj isn't someone who can play direct and long-ball football and it is better that he didn't get picked for the squad as chances of him being fielded would have been meager.

#10 Striker - Lallianzuala Chhangte

The 20-year-old became the youngest goal scorer for the senior team two years earlier
The 20-year-old became the youngest goalscorer for the senior team two years ago

One of the major reasons why India lags behind the other Asian powerhouses is the lack of quality strikers. While we do have Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua, we don't have equally good options on the bench.

However, one forward who is lurking from the background is Lallianzuala Chhangte. The 20-year-old's quick acceleration down the left-hand side created havoc for the right backs this season. The forward is the ideal substitution for Sunil Chhetri in my opinion.

He even scored for the National team in the 4-1 victory against Nepal at the 2015 SAFF Cup. By doing so, he became the youngest Indian goalscorer. Till date, he has been capped by the National team four times and has produced two goals.

He should definitely be rewarded with more call-ups. Maybe a below-par season with Delhi Dynamos was the reason for not being called up as he scored just 3 goals in the 18 games he played.

#11 Striker - Rahul Kannoly Praveen

KP Rahul is one of India's future rising star
KP Rahul is touted to be one of India's future star

The last to make it to our list is Indian Arrows forward, Rahul Balan. The 18-year-old Thrissur born player made 16 appearances in the I-League this season and scored two goals.

During their only Hero Super Cup game, he gave the Indian Arrows a ray of hope against Mumbai City FC. Rahul scored a brilliant goal, completely outwitting the 35-year-old veteran defender Goian. This goal spoke a lot about his abilities and showed he is a player of substance.

With Jeje, Balwant, and Chhetri in the squad, he wouldn't have got a place in the starting line-up. However, he has shown more promise and character than Alen Deory and Manvir Singh. His lack of experience came in the way of getting a place in the National squad but he surely gets into our Unpicked XI.

So, what do you think about our list? Do let us know your thoughts in the comments section.

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Edited by Abhishek Arora