AFC Asian Cup 2019: Where are India's 2011 AFC Asian Cup stars now?

The Indian football team that participated in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup
The Indian football team that participated in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup

Midfielders- Baldeep Singh

Baldeep Singh is now an absconding criminal
Baldeep Singh is now an absconding criminal

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 was hailed as the 'Steven Gerrard' of India
NP Pradeep was hailed as the 'Steven Gerrard' of India

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

Syed Rahim Nabi was another versatile player in the squad
Syed Rahim Nabi was another versatile player in the squad

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 hailed as the 'David Beckham' of India
Steven Dias was hailed as the 'David Beckham' of India

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.

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Edited by Debjyoti Samanta
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