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Sportskeeda looks ahead to the new year by listing ten youngsters who could make a huge impact in 2014. All the starlets mentioned in this article are in the Under-23 category and thus eligible to represent India in this year’s Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. The list is not in any particular order.
Semilen Doungel
Club: East Bengal
Age: 20
Position: Attacking Midfielder/Winger/Forward
After getting his early football education at the JCT academy, the young Manipuri joined the East Bengal youth ranks and represented them in the junior I-League. ‘Len’, as he is popularly known, then made his senior debut under Trevor Morgan in 2011 and was often used as an impact substitute by the Englishman. Len was on loan to Pailan Arrows in the second half of 2012-13 campaign but returned to East Bengal this season, making some vital contributions especially in the local league. Blessed with pace and an eye for goal, Len is rated very highly by current East Bengal coach Armando Colaco who has a history of grooming some of the best Indian players in his coaching career. Len could be given a more important role at the Kolkata club in 2014 so he would be looking to take his game to another level.
Club: Mohammedan Sporting
Age: 22
Position: Fullback/Wingback
The Mumbai-born lad had previously played in the I-League for Air India and Salgaocar but the move to Kolkata giants Mohammedan Sporting was a massive step up and that has only seen him take his game to the next level. Despite Mohammedan’s difficult campaign so far, Collin has been the most consistent right back this season but he is equally adept of operating in the other flank also. Collin is one of the fittest players in the country and is quite comfortable on the ball and thus is capable of operating in midfield also, having played there for his previous clubs at times. The former Mahindra United youth player has been the only ever-present player for the Kolkata club this term, featuring in every minute of their I-League campaign so far and thus will be on the radar of other big clubs in the summer.
Ravi Kumar (right)
Club: Sporting Clube
Age: 20
Position: Goalkeeper
The custodian is a Tata Football Academy graduate who has progressed immensely this season at Sporting Clube. Ravi faced plenty of competition for a starting place at Arrows and only managed nine I-League appearances over two and a half seasons there. But his reflexes and shot stopping impressed Sporting Clube’s Spanish coach Oscar Bruzon who signed him last summer and the India youth goalkeeper hasn’t looked back ever since. The Goan club are second in the Airtel I-League table and Ravi has played every minute of their campaign so far. He has kept seven clean sheets, more than any other keeper this season. The Uttar Pradesh-born player has plenty of room for improvement of course but he has all the attributes to become a senior international and could be first choice for the Asian Games.
Ram Malik
Club: Mohun Bagan
Age: 22
Position: Winger/Attacking Midfielder
This boy from Burdwan is one of the few Indian players, who looks to take on defenders and on most occasions gets past them. But Ram’s game is not just about his pace and dribbles as he consistently also produces the final ball or finish and that is why Mohun Bagan signed him this season despite previously playing for smaller clubs like Aryan and Kalighat MS. His football journey though started at Mohun Bagan’s SAIL Academy where he spent three and a half years before joining United SC. Ram is capable of playing on either flank or even behind the striker. The Mariners have had a dismal I-League campaign so far but Ram has been one of the few positives as he has set up plenty of goals and scored twice himself in the I-League. He already has plenty of pressure on his young shoulders to end the club’s trophy drought.
Pronay Halder (no. 37 in white)
Pronay Halder
Club: Dempo
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
A product of the Tata Football Academy, the central midfielder joined Arrows in 2011 but it was only last season that he became a regular under Australian coach Arthur Papas. He made 21 appearances for the AIFF’s now disbanded developmental side and his powerful performances from the middle of the park caught the attention of many big clubs. But having developed into a better player under Papas it wasn’t a surprise to see Pronay reunite with his mentor at Dempo and he has been ever present in their midfield after joining the Goan club midway through this season. The India youth international is well built with immense work rate and a natural ability of winning the ball in midfield. Consistency in the new year will definitely see Pronay get a place in India’s Asian Games squad.
Photo Credit: AIFF Media
Club: Rangdajied United (on loan from IMG-Reliance)
Age: 21
Position: Forward
The striker is the only player in this list to have represented India at senior international level but Manandeep had a difficult 2013 as he was out of action for months following a surgery. The former East Bengal player, who finished as the I-League’s second highest Indian scorer in 2011-12 while playing for Air India, is an IMG-Reliance contracted player now but was loaned to newly-promoted Rangdajied United in November and has played a key role already in their relegation battle. The match winning performance in the upset victory over Mohun Bagan has been Manandeep’s highlight at Rangdajied so far. The ex-Arrows youngster is a natural finisher and also has a physical presence unlike most Indian forwards. He should return to the national team soon if he manages a good scoring rate for the Shillong club in the I-League and Federation Cup.
Siam Hanghal pointing to the crowd after his wonder strike against Dempo
Siam Hanghal
Club: Bengaluru FC
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
The Tata Football Academy product was recommended to Bengaluru FC by their assistant coach Pradhyum Reddy under whom Hanghal had a stint last season at DSK Shivajians and the central midfielder has exceeded expectations in his first full I-League campaign. Hanghal has turned out to be one of the best young players of this season’s I-League as his energy and passing in midfield has been instrumental in Bengaluru leading the table. The former Arrows youngster has often made many experienced midfield opponents look ordinary with his most eye-catching performance coming in the win over Dempo as he scored with a scorching long ranger and was adjudged man of the match. Hanghal has become a fan favourite and couldn’t have wished for a better mentor than former Manchester United youth player Ashley Westwood. He looks well placed to enhance his reputation in 2014.
Nikhil Kadam (in red)
Club: Pune FC
Age: 19
Position: Winger/Attacking Midfielder
Born in Kolhapur, Kadam has come through the Pune FC youth system and was one of the best players of the academy’s first batch. He won the under-20 I-League with the Red Lizards and made his senior debut last season but this term he has been a regular under Mike Snoei and played a key role in the club’s title bid. Kadam’s pace, trickery and willingness to take on opposition defenders has been very refreshing, considering the dearth of young creative players in the country. The teenager, who has been one of the best wide midfielders in this season’s I-League, would still want to score more goals as he has only netted once this campaign. If Kadam becomes prolific in front of a goal, even a senior national team call-up will become a realistic goal this year.
Club: Mohun Bagan
Age: 20
Position: Defender/Fullback/Wingback
Pritam first won admirers while playing for for the Bengal Under-19 side and that earned him an inclusion in the India U-19 team. He joined Arrows in 2011-12 but his career really took off last season under Arthur Papas as the former Wari defender started each of the Pailan-owned club’s 26 I-League matches. After joining Mohun Bagan this season, Pritam has become one of the first names of Karim Bencherifa’s team sheet. Although primarily a right back, a position that he has made his own at Mohun Bagan, Pritam is capable of playing anywhere in defence as he tackles cleanly and is strong in the air too. But his ability to overlap and make pinpoint crosses suggest that his long-term future is as a right back and he could be playing that role for India U-23 at this year’s Asian Games.
Rowlin Borges (no.23)
Rowlin Borges
Club: Sporting Clube
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder
Rowlin has been one of the most consistent midfielders of the Airtel I-League and his form has been instrumental in the Goan club’s surprise title challenge. Rowlin has also represented Goa in the Santosh Trophy and the state was desperate to have him for the 2014 Lusophony Games but the Flaming Oranje understandably didn’t release the central midfielder. He made his I-League debut in 2011-12 but was used sparingly with only eight starts to his name. This season he has started in 13 of Sporting’s 14 matches, pulling the strings from midfield. Not too many young midfielders pass the ball better than Rowlin, who can both operate deep or in an advanced role just behind the striker, in the I-League but he must look to add goals to his game if he wants to play at international level.
