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India qualified for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Australia by winning the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup as the hosts. India was making their second appearance in the quadrennial extravaganza, having qualified in it way back in 1984.
Bob Houghton and his men lost all the three group stage matches - 0-4 to Australia, 2-5 to Bahrain, and 1-4 to South Korea- and failed to make it to the knockout stages. Out of that 23-member squad, only Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sunil Chhetri have made it to India's list of 34 probables.
While most of them have retired or are in the twilight of their careers, the others have faded into the oblivion. One particular footballer, Baldeep Singh, is absconding from police after rape charges on a minor were pressed against him.
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Without any further ado, we present before you- 'Where are India's 2011 AFC Asian Cup stars now? '
Goalkeeper - Subrata Pal
Subrata Pal was India's standout player in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. The Australian media gave him the nickname of 'Spiderman' for his lightning reflexes and string of saves. If it weren't for Subrata, India could have conceded more than the 13 goals they let in.
Right now, Subrata Pal is plying his trade for Jamshedpur FC in the Hero Indian Super League. The 'Spiderman' produced 19 saves from 9 matches and kept 1 clean sheet for his side in the 2018-19 season.
Goalkeeper- Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu hadn't represented India a single time before boarding the flight to Australia. Bob Houghton knew that the Punjabi-lad had huge potential and took him to the island nation.
He was the third choice goalkeeper of India back then. But now, he is the No.1 choice for both India and Bengaluru FC.
Goalkeeper- Subhashish Roy Chowdhury
Subhasish Roy Chowdhury got very little playing time for the Indian national team, playing second fiddle behind Subrata Pal and Karanjit Singh. Even in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, he was on the bench for all the three matches.
This season, the 32-year-old is playing for Jamshedpur FC in the Hero Indian Super League. Subhasish played 3 matches for the Reds and has 1 clean sheet to his name.
Defenders- Govin Singh
Govin Singh was only 23 when he was selected for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup squad. He had a solid defensive partnership with Gouramangi Singh in the 2008-09 season for Churchill Brothers, but couldn't start or appear as a substitute in the tournament.
The centre-back for India in Baichung Bhutia's farewell match against Bayern Munich is currently representing Aizawl FC in the I-League.
Defenders- Nanjangud Shivananju Manju
NS Manju was one of the promising centre-backs, who was equally adept in the left-back position, India had going into the tournament. The defender also had the knack of scoring goals from set pieces but didn't start a single game for the Blue Tigers.
The former 2005-06 NFL winner for Mahindra United is currently playing for Ozone FC in the I-League Second Division and Bangalore Super Division.
Defenders- Rakesh Masih
Rakesh Masih was one of the versatile players Bob Houghton chose in his side. He was equally adept in playing in the centre-back and central midfield position due to his superb built and heading ability. However, he didn't make a single appearance for India in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.
The former ATK player played for Tollygunge Agragami in the Calcutta Football League and captained Delhi United FC in the 2017-18 I-League Second Division.
Defenders- Anwar Ali
Anwar Ali became a regular for the Indian team since the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup and regularly partnered Gouramangi Singh in the heart of the defence. He played full 270 minutes for India in the group stages of the tournament, but couldn't stop the oppositions from scoring goals.
The 34-year-old currently plays for Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League where his side is second in the points table.
Defenders- Gouramangi Singh
Gouramangi Singh initially started his career as a midfielder before Bob Houghton transformed him as a defender because the Indian team needed a tall player in the back-four. The Manipuri legend started all the games for India but his tricks were futile against the quality oppositions.
The 32-year-old played for NEROCA in the 2017-18 I-League, guiding them to a second-place finish. However, he hasn't penned the deal with any side this season.
Defenders- Deepak Mondal
Deepak Mondal was the most versatile defender in the Indian team as he could play in all the four positions. The former Arjuna awardee played as a left-back in the tournament but proved to be ineffective against the stronger oppositions.
The 39-year-old played for Food Corporation of Indian in the 2018 Calcutta Football League mainly as a mentor to the young and rising footballers. He also has an AFC D License and is looking forward to starting his coaching career in India.
Defenders- Mahesh Gawli
The duo of Mahesh Gawli and Deepak Mondal in the heart of the defence was a nightmare for the oppositions in the early 2000s. However, age wore them out and, Gouramangi Singh and Anwar Ali replaced them as centre-backs in the senior team. While Deepak Mondal slotted into the left back position, Gawli couldn't play a single minute of football in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.
Mahesh Gawli is one of the chief trainers of the Tata Sons U-Dream project. With the aim of aiding them in their dream of playing professional football across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, the project works with boys in the age-group of 12-14 in India.
Defenders- Surkumar Singh
Surkumar Singh won the AIFF Player of the Year in 2006 and was an integral part of the national team setup. Known for his brilliant overlapping tendencies, Surkumar had to resort to his defensive duties while playing for India as a right back in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in all the three matches.
The 35-year-old last played professional football for United Sikkim in the 2014 I-League 2nd Division in their 0-3 loss to Kalighat Milan Sangha.
Midfielders- Baldeep Singh
Having started his career as a defender, Baldeep Singh was another versatile player Bob Houghton selected in his squad who could slot in the right wing and the central midfield positions. However, he didn't play a single match in either of the positions for the Blue Tigers.
Baldeep Singh is currently absconding from police after allegations of rape on a minor was pressed against him in 2012. Baldeep was playing for United SC in the I-League then.
Midfielders- NP Pradeep
NP Pradeep started out his career as a striker for Kerala in their U-17 and U-20 teams before shifting to the heart of the defence. The midfielder played all the three matches for India in the midfield despite their abysmal showing.
NP Pradeep was a scout with Kerala Blasters in 2015 and spotted players like Sahal Abdul Samad. However, he couldn't negotiate him into signing a contract then. He is currently working with the Reliance Foundation Young Champs, helping them bolster the grassroots of Indian football.
Midfielders- Syed Rahim Nabi
Out of all the versatile players Bob Houghton had chosen in his squad, Syed Rahim Nabi stood out of the lot as he could play as a winger, striker, and a full-back. The former East Bengal captain started as a left winger in their 0-4 loss to Australia and, as a left back in their 2-5 loss to Bahrain. In the final fixture against South Korea, he again played in the left wing position.
In 2016, Syed Rahim Nabi lost the West Bengal state elections with a Trinamool Congress ticket from the Pandua constituency in the Hooghly district. He took part in the 2017 ISL draft but went unsold.
Midfielders- Steven Dias
Steven Dias was the dead-ball specialist for India and is famously known for scoring straight from a corner kick against Lebanon in the 2-2 draw at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. In the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, the Mumbaikar started all the matches for India on the right wing.
He currently plays for Air India in the MDFA's Elite Division. Steven Dias has also launched the KSA-Ambitious Football Academy at the Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) football ground to nurture young kids. The midfielder is also an 'AFC B License' coach.
Midfielders- Renedy Singh
Renedy Singh made three appearances for the Blue Tigers in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, twice as a regular and once as a substitute. In the opener against Australia, the 39-year-old substituted Steven Dias in the 79th minute.
In the next match against Bahrain, his two free-kicks allowed Gouramangi Singh and Sunil Chhetri to score in their 5-2 loss. The Manipuri's Asia Cup campaign ended in an injury in the last match against South Korea as he had to be substituted in the 4th minute itself.
The former FC Pune City assistant coach is currently the colour commentator of I-League matches. He is also the President of Football Players' Association of India and has launched his own academy- Renedy Football School- in Northeast India.
Midfielders- Clifford Miranda
Speak to anyone in Goa and, you will rarely come across someone who doesn't know the name of Clifford Miranda. However, the 36-year-old didn't play a single minute of football in the Asian Cup.
Clifford Miranda is currently the coach of the reserve team of FC Goa and an assistant to the club's director of youth development for their U-20 and U-18 teams.
Midfielders- Mehrajuddin Wadoo
Before the northernmost state of India had Real Kashmir FC to pin their footballing hopes, Mehrajuddin Wadoo was the lone inspiration for youngsters in Kashmir. The 34-year-old was equally adept in playing in all the positions in the midfield and made three appearances for the country in the tournament out of the bench.
Mehrajuddin Wadoo played as a defender for Mumbai City FC in all of their eighteen matches in the 2017-18 season. The Kashmiri is currently the head coach of FC Pune City U-18 team and an occasional commentator for the Hero Indian Super League.
Midfielders- Climax Lawrence
Captaining the eleven gladiators in the heart of the midfield, Climax Lawrence pulled the strings for the Indian team in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. Despite the team losing all the three matches, he ensured the morale of the team wasn't let down.
Climax Lawrence retired from international football in 2012 and played for Mumbai FC in the 2013-14 season of the I-League. He is currently the assistant coach of FC Bardez in the Goa Professional League.
Strikers- Sunil Chhetri
Sunil Chhetri was India's leading goalscorer in the 2011 edition and is expected to be the same in the upcoming quadrennial extravaganza. The Bengaluru FC captain has already represented India 102 times and is the third leading goalscorer in international football when only active players are taken into account.
This season, the 34-year-old has found the back of the net five times and is the fourth in the 'Golden Boot' race in the ISL.
Strikers- Abhishek Yadav
Before India had Robin Singh, Manvir Singh, or Sumeet Passi to play as the target man, the Blue Tigers had Abhishek Yadav. The 38-year-old drew out the defenders and freed the space for Sunil Chhetri. He came on as a substitute in the opener against Australia and started the game against Bahrain and South Korea.
Abhishek Yadav is currently the Technical Director of the senior team and was the Chief Operating Officer of India's U-17 World Cup team. The former Mahindra United striker played a key role in scouting the youngsters for the tournament and arranged international matches for their exposure.
Strikers- Baichung Bhutia
After flunking his school at the age of 15 and becoming the footballing icon of India, Baichung Bhutia was tasked to lead the pack in India's 2011 Asian Cup campaign. However, an untimely injury resulted in the responsibility being handed to Sunil Chhetri. The Sikkimese Sniper substituted Abhishek Yadav in the 78th minute in India's match against South Korea.
After announcing his retirement from Indian football in a farewell match against Bayern Munich, Baichung Bhutia opened his own football club United Sikkim. The side got promoted from the Second Division in 2012 and played in the 2012-13 I-League. However, in 2014, Baichung decided that the club would only participate in local competitions.
The football legend also contested the 2012 and 2016 West Bengal state elections from a Trinamool Congress ticket and has a biopic ready to be released.
Strikers- Mohammed Rafi
Mohammed Rafi was the last of the four strikers Bob Houghton had chosen in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. The then Churchill Brothers striker started the match against Australia in their 0-4 loss, but was substituted in the 78th minute by Abhishek Yadav and never made an appearance again.
The 36-year-old club went on to play for Mumbai FC in the I-League, and ATK and Kerala Blasters in the ISL. Currently, he is plying his trade for Chennaiyin FC in the ISL but has made only one appearance.
