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The second edition of the Indian Super League has definitely lived up to expectations. We've seen a few brilliant close games and some amazing individual performances. There are a few players who have announced their arrival on the grand stage with their consistency and ability to make the difference in key encounters.With the league now in the knockout stages, these players will have an important role to play if their teams want to have a shot at winning the title. We take a look at 5 players who have surpassed expectations so far:
#1 Sameehg Doutie
Atletico de Kolkata finished the league stages in second position and were fairly comfortable towards the end of the group stages. However, things weren’t looking that rosy for them after they lost three games mid-season and Sameehg Doutie was one player who played a vital role in helping change his team’s fortunes.
Earlier, Atletico de Kolkata boss Antonio Habas didn’t trust Doutie enough to start him, but the South African has surprised us all with his energy and smart play. He has scored 3 goals and has 6 assists to his name in just 10 appearances. The South African winger is now the first name on the team sheet after his brilliant performances and is riding high on confidence.
Doutie has played in South Africa his entire career until he signed for the defending champions of the Indian Super League. The 26-year-old is a youth product of Ajax Cape Town, and also started his senior career there before signing for Orlando Pirates.
He also played for Supersport United and Bidvest Wits in South Africa and represented his country at various youth levels.
#2 Anas Edathodika
Anas Edathodika has been a pillar for Delhi Dynamos at the back this season alongside John Arne Riise. The Kerala-born defender was signed by Delhi Dynamos for 41 lac during the Indian Super League auction and has proved to be a bargain so far.
The central defender is yet to make his debut for the Indian national team, but has featured in 12 games for Delhi Dynamos so far, making 41 tackles, 17 interceptions and winning 15 aerial duels. If he can continue his brilliant form, a call-up to the national side won’t be too far away.
Anas, who had to drive a rickshaw to sponsor his football career in his childhood days, started his career at I-league second division side Mumbai FC. After spending four seasons at Mumbai FC, he signed for Pune FC in 2011 and made 76 appearances for them, winning their Player of the Year Award in 2012-13.
#3 Arata Izumi
Japan-born Indian footballer Arata Izumi has had a brilliant start to his career at Atletico de Kolkata. The 33-year-old already has five goals from just the eight shots he has taken in nine games for Atletico.
Though Izumi has been in and out of the team due to injury, he has made a solid impact for the defending champions. Izumi started his professional career in Singapore with Albirex Niigata Singapore of the S.League before moving back to Japan to play for Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C. of the Japan Football League.
He then moved to India as he signed for I-league giants East Bengal scoring one goal and assisting another 10 in 14 games during his first season. Izumi then signed for Mahindra United with whom he won the Durand Cup, but his best form came during his time at Pune City FC for whom he has made more than 100 appearances.
He has also featured for the national side after he gave up his Japanese passport and got his Indian passport in 2013. He was selected by then manager Wim Koevermans for the international friendly against Palestine.
Arata Izumi was signed by defending champions Atletico de Kolkata for Rs. 68 lac during the auction, with his base price being Rs. 40 lac.
#4 Mohammed Rafi
Mohammed Rafi was part of the Atletico de Kolkata team that won the Indian Super League in the inaugural season, but was not retained for this season. Kolkata’s loss turned into Kerala Blasters’ gain, whose faith in the 33-year-old has been rewarded very well.
Rafi has scored four goals and also has two assists to his name in 9 appearances. The 5’10” striker has been one of the very few players who performed well this season for a struggling Kerala Blasters side.
He has made 7 appearances for the national side, but was recently ignored by coach Stephen Constantine for India’s FIFA World Cup qualifer against Guam, despite him in being fine goalscoring form.
He has been a regular in the Indian football scene, and was the top scorer in the I-League in 2009/10 when he scored 14 goals for Mahindra United, also winning the FPAI’s best Indian footballer award that season.
#5 Laxmikant Kattimani
Laxmikant Kattimani has been crucial to FC Goa’s brilliant performances so far in the tournament. He had featured in 10 games, making an impressive 34 saves, and keeping two clean sheets.
Kattimani has managed to keep experienced Brazilian goalkeeper Elinton Andrade, who has played for sides like Fluminense and Marseille in Brazil and Europe, out of the team with his consistent performances.
The 26-year-old started his senior career at Vasco SC and was coached by Brazilian goalkeeper Rogerio Ramos, who is currently the goalkeeping coach of the Indian national team. He then joined I-league Dempo in 2009 and gained recognition for his impressive performaces.
He won the I-league twice with Dempo in 2009-10 and 2011-12, and has also represented India at youth levels.
