Intercontinental Cup 2018: 5 players who deserve a spot in the Indian football squad

Modified May 11, 2018 18:56 IST

With the four-nation Intercontinental Cup all set to kick off on June 1, 2018, Indian National Football Team coach, Stephen Constantine recently released a list of thirty names as a part of the probables, likely to wear the Indian Blue to face the likes of Kenya, Chinese Taipei and New Zealand during the competition. The tournament is projected to deliver the Indian football team some much required game time ahead of the AFC Asian Cup which is to take place in the UAE in January 2019.

The preliminary squad that was released recently included thirty names for next month’s Intercontinental Cup. Names like Souvik Chakrabarti, Ashique Kuruniyan, Laldanmawia Ralte made the cut, while some talented players who have proved themselves over the domestic footballing season with high quality performances during the Indian Super League (ISL), I-League as well as the inaugural edition of the Indian Super Cup, have been unsuccessful in gaining a nod from the National team bossman.

Here is a list of five players who deserved a spot on the Indian roster.

#1 Rahul Bheke

Rahul Shankar Bheke is one defender who has had an exceptional season this year. After joining Bengaluru FC at the end of his loan spell at FC Pune City, Bheke has been a top asset for Albert Roca and has failed to disappoint his coach. The full back performed when it mattered the most.

When BFC conceded the opening goal during the Super Cup finale, it was Rahul, who netted the crucial equaliser for his side against his former club East Bengal. The 27-year-old defender has had a superb season where he has delivered top notch performances for his side, and has come in handy for his manager’s problems in the defence line on more than a couple of occasions.

#2 Adil Khan

Adil Khan has been FC Pune City’s secret weapon all season this year. Coach Popovic rode his hopes over Khan’s shoulders a number of times, as Khan delivered in return, and how! Out of the eighteen games that Khan played for the Stallions, he netted four goals, finishing his season as the third highest goal getter for FCPC, right behind Marcelinho and Alfaro.

The 29-year-old has been one man his manager relied on over the course of the entire Indian Super League season. The player delivered versatile performances for his side, be it in the central midfield, or any spot on the defensive line. As the season unfolded, Khan was able to being in a sense of ease and consistency to his side.

Adil also played an essential role in helping his club maintain a total of seven clean sheets in the competition, which comprised of over twenty interceptions and seventy tackles from the former Delhi Dynamos man.

#3 Brandon Fernandes

After playing a key role in FC Goa’s success this season, Brandon Fernandes is another name that was missing from the list of probables released by the All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) earlier this week.

Brandon was picked up by the Gaurs for a transfer fee of Rs. 27.5 lakh during the player draft, and he certainly justified his price tag over the course of the 2017-18 ISL season. Though Fernandes is naturally an attacking midfielder, he didn’t hesitate to step up on the wings for FC Goa and influence the team’s attacks.

Having had short term footballing stints outside of India, with the likes of former Premier League Champions, Leicester City FC, and ASD Cape Town, the 24-year-old would bring in a range of experience and depth into the Indian squad. Brandon could have linked up quite well with Udanta, Balwant Singh and Sunil Chhetri up front.

#4 Mandar Rao Dessai

Opening his goal kitty from the very beginning of the fourth edition of the ISL season, Mandar proved to have played an important role for FC Goa’s success this season. The midfielder netted the opening goal of the fixture against champions, Chennayin FC, and contributed to his team’s 3-2 win against the MS Dhoni co-owned ISL franchise.

While the Gaurs suffered courtesy the controversial turn of events against Jamshedpur FC in their Indian Super Cup campaign, Mandar played an important role in Coach Lobera’s plans throughout the 2017-18 domestic season.

#5 Michael Soosairaj

Michael Soosairaj emerged as one of the top finds as the Indian Super League wrapped up this year. He has impressed the entire fraternity of Indian football with his skills on the field, and his versatility of moulding into any spot on the midfield – be it central or attacking, or even to go further up along with the strikers, the 23-year-old has it all in his bag of skills.

His calm flamboyance on the ball was evidence enough of how essential a strength Soosairaj can be for his team.

The youngster deserved a chance to represent the nation at the Intercontinental Cup after ending his domestic season on such a high. However, he will have to wait a little longer to partake in the National side camp.

Edited by Abhijit Raghunathan