Uncapped players seek ISL route to India squad for Asian Cup
Indiansuper league
3 DAYS TO GO
Michael Soosairaj didn’t take long to get noticed when he made his I-League debut in early 2017. The midfielder from Tamil Nadu was among a few local players to feature for Chennai City in their first season in the top-flight. It was in his second season with the club, however, that Soosairaj really stamped his class in the league.
In a season where Chennai barely managed to avoid relegation, Soosairaj was one of the few silver linings for the club. The 23-year-old was named the best midfielder of the year by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) at the end of the season.
Despite his exploits in the topflight, Soosairaj, now at Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League (ISL), is yet to make it to India head coach Stephen Constantine’s side this year.
With the Asian Cup in early 2019 – it is only the second time in 35 years that India will be playing at the continental showpiece event – many like Soosairaj will be keen to impress as Constantine prepares to finalise his roster for the tournament.
The recurring complaint against Constantine’s selection from fans on social media in recent times is his apparent indifference towards players’ performances in the domestic leagues at times.
The likes of Soosairaj, Rahul Bheke, Sukhdev Singh and a few others have found themselves ignored despite good showings with their clubs last season. Their anguish is something Debjit Majumder, Ashutosh Mehta, et al, will be able to relate to, having been snubbed in the past by the English coach.
While Constantine has handed out international debuts to a number of players, he also seems to have placed his confidence in a core group of players in the senior side, especially with just over three months to go for the Asian Cup. At this stage, it may require something extraordinary from a player to convince the coach to pick him in the national squad.
That is exactly what many uncapped Indian players will be looking to pull off in the opening half of the ISL season.
At ATK, Jayesh Rane will be hoping to rediscover his form after a disappointing season with the club last term.
First team chances could be limited for former Mohun Bagan midfielder Sheikh Faiaz but Constantine could do well to keep an eye on the 23-year-old.
Meanwhile, like Bheke, Bengaluru teammate Nishu Kumar is another uncapped Indian playing in the league.
Teenagers Dheeraj Singh (Kerala Blasters) and Baoringdao Bodo (Chennaiyin FC) are unlikely to be holding first-team aspirations for India at the Asian Cup, but both the talented youngsters could make the cut if things go well in the next three months.
Dheeraj, in particular, is expected to be Kerala’s first choice custodian this term, and that will give him enough games to get into reckoning for the senior side. However, with the likes of Vishal Kaith, Amrinder Singh, veteran Subrata Paul and others competing for back-up positions to Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Dheeraj will have a tough fight on his hands.
Mandar Rao Dessai (FC Goa), Jerry Mawihmingthanga (Jamshedpur FC), Brandon Fernandes (FC Goa), Kivi Zhimomi and Nikhil Kadam (NorthEast United) are among others who will be hoping for a shot at the national team squad.
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