I-League 2018/19: Top 5 foreigners to watch out for

The 2018/19 I-League is all set to kick off this week and the teams are geared for yet another action-packed season. 11 teams from across the country will be fighting it out over a span of around four and a half months for the coveted trophy.

Most of the clubs were busy spending big in the transfer market and have been successful in signing quite a few quality foreigners for the league.

It is to be noted that Shillong Lajong FC has adopted an all Indian player’s policy so they do not have any foreign players in their squad, while Indian Arrows is a developmental side and comprise of Indian players in the Under-19 age group.

Let us have a look at the Top 5 foreigners to look out for in the 2018/19 I-League:

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#5 Mason Robertson

Mason Robertson is the son of Real Kashmir's head coach David

Real Kashmir FC made history by becoming the first team form the Jammu and Kashmir region to qualify for the I-League. David Robertson is the man who changed the fate of the team after he guided the team to the I-League second division title.

It was after the team's promotion to the top tier that he summoned his son Mason to join his side from Scottish League Two outfit Peterhead FC. Although he played as a defender back in Europe, he is likely to play as a midfielder for the North Indian side in the upcoming I-League.

The playmaker has been promising in the pre-season as well. He scored a last-minute goal against Bengaluru FC to guide their team to the final of the Jammu and Kashmir invitational tournament just a few days back.

All the eyes will be on the Kashmir based side who will begin their I-League journey on 31st October when they play away to defending champions Minerva Punjab FC.

#4 Antonio German

Antonio German played for Kerala Blasters FC in the Indian Super League

The English footballer is one of the few foreigners to play in the I-League after making an appearance in the Indian Super League. Following his senior professional debut with Championship side Queens Park Rangers, he played for several English clubs since 2009.

After his stint with Scottish side Partick Thistle, he was signed by Kerala Blasters in 2015 for the second season of the ISL. He was an instant success with the club, scoring 6 goals in the 9 matches that he featured in.

After a forgettable ISL season in 2016, Antonio was left out of the squad and he once again fled back to Britain. Having played at three clubs for short spells, he is back again in India.

The winger is very fast with the ball and can pose a threat to any defence in the I-League. Gokulam Kerala surprised everyone in the latter stages of the league with a few impressive performances. But this time, with the likes of Antonio in the squad, the fans can expect a more improved display from the beginning itself.

#3 William Opoku

The youngster will be very useful for Minerva Punjab FC in the I-League

The Ghanian footballer had nothing to boast about when he joined Minerva Punjab FC last season. But he became a vital member of the squad which won the I-League last year. The midfielder impressed during the campaign and even scored 5 goals in the 18 matches he played for the side.

He scored the title-winning goal for the Punjab based side against Churchill Brothers last season. Opoku has been playing well in the pre-season also, having scored in the Jammu and invitational tournament a few days back.

The final of the tournament between Minerva Punjab FC and Real Kashmir FC was called off yesterday due to violent situations prevailing in the Kashmir valley.

Minerva Punjab FC will miss the likes of Kassim Aidara, Abhishek Ambekar, Eric Dano and most importantly the Bhutanese magician Chencho Gyeltshen who currently plays for Bengaluru FC.

Opoku will have to shoulder the responsibility of leading the title defence for Minerva Punjab FC along with other new recruits like Yu Kuboki, Philip Njoku and Lancine Toure.

#2 Henry Kisekka

Henry Kisekka played brilliantly in the 2018 Calcutta Football League

Kisekka impressed during his stay at Gokulam Kerala in the last season, although the Ugandan was recruited in the latter stages of the league as a replacement to Odafa Okolie. During the 7 matches, he played for Kerala, the forward scored 4 goals.

The first of which was a brilliant strike against Mohun Bagan, the club he now plays for. He played 4 matches for the Ugandan national side and scored 2 goals. After playing the majority of his club football in Vietnam, he set foot on Indian soil earlier this year.

Having played brilliantly in the green and maroon jersey during the 2018 Calcutta Football League, he is looking lethal ahead of the new season. Kisekka scored 6 goals and assisted several others in the local league.

The Ugandan is fast, agile, and has a great scoring ability and his partnership with Cameroonian Dipanda Dicka will help the ‘Mariners’ a lot. With the likes of Sony Norde in the wings and Dipanda Dicka up front, Mohun Bagan’s frontline will be a force to reckon with.

#1 Johnny Acosta

Johnny Acosta played for Costa Rica during the 2018 FIFA World Cup

By far the biggest signing in the I-League this year. The Costa Rican played player was roped in fresh after his appearance in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The central defender has loads of experience under his belt and even played crucial matches during Costa Rica’s dream run in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, four years back.

He promised a lot when he landed in the city much to the joy of the millions of East Bengal enthusiasts around the globe and the I-League will be his real test. Having made his debut for East Bengal in a Kolkata derby against Mohun Bagan in the 2018 Calcutta Football League, he is yet to display his best football so far.

For a player of his calibre, you need to give him time to settle down. Hopefully, with a successful pre-season in Malaysia and practice sessions with other foreigners and Indian players, he will be a hard nut to crack in the defence. Johnny played 71 matches for the Costa Rican national football team and also scored a couple of goals.