I-League 2017: Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem confirms participation for Indian Arrows

What's the story?

India U17 World Cup star goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem confirmed today that he will represent the Indian Arrows in the upcoming I-League 2017/18.

In case you didn't know

All India Football Federation (AIFF) has decided to field a combined XI comprising of India U17 and India U19 players in the upcoming I-League to allow them regular playing time at the top level. The team will be known as 'Indian Arrows', the resurrected version of the now defunct 'Pailan Arrows'.

The heart of the matter

Dheeraj Singh was one of the most outstanding players among the India U-17 World Cup Squad and has been linked to moves to Europe and Australia. With the AIFF not announcing the squad till now, Dheeraj's announcement on Instagram is sure to attract the eye-balls of the Indian Football Fans.

Indian Arrows will be keenly kept an eye on by scouts of several I-League and Indian Super League clubs to snap up a few brilliant youngsters, making it the most exciting team to watch out for.

Sources have suggested that Indian Arrows coach Luis Norton De Matos has decided to drop Striker Komal Thatal from the squad which has invited anger from Indian football fans on social media.

What's next?

Indian Arrows are yet to announce their squad. They travel to Goa for their opening game against Chennai City FC on 29th November in the GMC Bambolim Stadium at 5:30 PM. The match will be televised on Star Sports 2, HD 2 and Hotstar.

Author's Take

India has always produced quality goalkeepers in the past and Dheeraj Singh is surely one in the making. Dheeraj's campaign in the upcoming I-League is very important if he wants to land a deal in Europe in near future. After Subrata Paul and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Dheeraj Singh has been rated very highly in the list of quality goalkeepers in the country.