5 players who can guide India to the FIFA World Cup

Modified Jun 10, 2015 14:36 IST

Arnab Mondal

Age: 25Position: DefenderI-League: East BengalISL: Atletico de KolkataInternational caps: 12 International goals: 1

Arnab Mondal is the most experienced defender in Stephen Constantine’s side. He made his debut in 2013 and has looked very comfortable no matter how big the stage. He has played for the national team 12 times, scoring one goal. However, the goal he scored was the winning goal in the 2013 SAFF Championship semi-final against Nepal.

Mondal joined Prayag United from Mohammedan Sporting in 2010, before moving to East Bengal in 2012. He was loaned out to Atletico de Kolkata where, as an integral part of the team, he made 16 appearances in the title-winning campaign.

Mondal is a player who does not fear going into a tackle. Blessed with good pace, he can read the game very well, which is a very handy weapon for a central defender. Indian fans would be hoping that Mondal and Jhingan are able to create a strong defensive partnership that can last a few years.

Eugeneson Lyngdoh

Age: 27Position: MidfielderI-League: BengaluruISL: did not play in ISLInternational caps: 2 International goals: 0

Eugeneson Lyngdoh is one of the most sought after players in the league right now. A player who can play centrally and on the wing with great efficiency, he was handed his first cap by Stephen Constantine against Nepal.

Lyngdoh came onto the international stage at the age 27 and the way he is performing right now, he seems destined to become one of the most important players in the team.

Lyngdoh played for Shillong Lajong sandwiched between two spells with Rangdajied United. He arrived at the big time when he signed a contract with I-League Champions Bengaluru FC. In his first season with Bengaluru, he scored 9 goals in his 33 appearances for the club.

At the end of the season Lyngdoh walked away with three individual awards – the Bengaluru FC Fan's Player of the Year 2014-15, Bengaluru FC Player's Player of the Year 2014-15 and the I-League Midfielder of the Year 2014-15. With the team, he won the 2015 Federation Cup.

Lyngdoh is a very technically gifted player who likes to keep the possession of the ball with his team. A really good passer of the ball, he always looks to move the ball forward, maintaining the tempo of the game for the team.

Although he is a late bloomer in terms of getting noticed for his performances, Lyngdoh might just be the person for these big games.