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Comment: Strikers Who Can Make It To The Indian National Team
In the attacking third...
12-Oct-2010 10:00:00 PM
By Anselm Noronha
Time and again, we have heard Indian football fans crying out for some 'excitement' in the game. Many believe that a team with a blend of young and exciting, and old and experienced players will resolve this crisis and enable the National team to deliver every match.
In this series, Goal.com picks out a few domestic attacking players who we feel could make it to the Indian national team, possibly even before the 2011 Asian Cup which starts next year in January. This is not to say that the current contingent of the Men in Blue are any worse than the ones who can fit in there.
West Bengal #27 Watches His Shot Go Past Goa's Felix D'Souza (Santosh Trophy)
It wouldn't be difficult to admit that we always rely on the striking brilliance of Sunil Chhetri or Bhaichung Bhutia for goals galore every match, but there seems to be a new kid on the block.
Robin Singh, who, after graduating from Tata Football Academy (TFA), became a regular forward for East Bengal and has been in prolific scoring form of late.
Even before the Delhi lad came into major limelight playing for champions West Bengal at the 2010 Santosh Trophy, he was already signed for a record fee of 50 lakh for two years making him the most expensive TFA cadet. He played well against the 'biggies', including East Bengal, when at the academy too.
Robin, besides scoring regularly in the Calcutta Football League (CFL), also played an important role in the red and gold's journey that of retaining the 2010 Federation Cup title.
The tall striker has also traveled to Germany when he was part of the India U-16 team and played practice matches against German clubs like Wolfsburg and AS Augsburg.
Making Sure He's Got His Best Foot Forward - Joaquim Abranches (Dempo)
Already having played under current national team coach Bob Houghton in the pre-Olympics qualifiers in 2006, a year after he had received a call-up from Syed Nayeemuddin, Joaquim Abranches still has what it takes to play for the Indian national team again.
It may sound ironical but the fact remains that, this young striker who has recently won the 'Best Young Player' award at the second Football Players Association of India (FPAI) awards night, started his career as a defender.
No doubt, it hasn't always been smooth sailing getting a chance to play in his favourite center forward position in the I-League with foreign strikers in the team, the Goan boy has adapted well on the right flank or even as a withdrawn striker from where he's not shy to let one fly.
Ever since the Dempo striker got comfortable with his new position and started delivering, not before plying the same at a few other clubs including Vasco SC and Churchill Brothers SC, why shouldn't anyone believe that he has to receive a senior national team call-up?
In this series, Goal.com picks out a few domestic attacking players who we feel could make it to the Indian national team, possibly even before the 2011 Asian Cup which starts next year in January. This is not to say that the current contingent of the Men in Blue are any worse than the ones who can fit in there.
Robin Singh
West Bengal #27 Watches His Shot Go Past Goa's Felix D'Souza (Santosh Trophy)
It wouldn't be difficult to admit that we always rely on the striking brilliance of Sunil Chhetri or Bhaichung Bhutia for goals galore every match, but there seems to be a new kid on the block.
Robin Singh, who, after graduating from Tata Football Academy (TFA), became a regular forward for East Bengal and has been in prolific scoring form of late.
Even before the Delhi lad came into major limelight playing for champions West Bengal at the 2010 Santosh Trophy, he was already signed for a record fee of 50 lakh for two years making him the most expensive TFA cadet. He played well against the 'biggies', including East Bengal, when at the academy too.
Robin, besides scoring regularly in the Calcutta Football League (CFL), also played an important role in the red and gold's journey that of retaining the 2010 Federation Cup title.
The tall striker has also traveled to Germany when he was part of the India U-16 team and played practice matches against German clubs like Wolfsburg and AS Augsburg.
Joaquim Abranches
Making Sure He's Got His Best Foot Forward - Joaquim Abranches (Dempo)
It may sound ironical but the fact remains that, this young striker who has recently won the 'Best Young Player' award at the second Football Players Association of India (FPAI) awards night, started his career as a defender.
No doubt, it hasn't always been smooth sailing getting a chance to play in his favourite center forward position in the I-League with foreign strikers in the team, the Goan boy has adapted well on the right flank or even as a withdrawn striker from where he's not shy to let one fly.
Ever since the Dempo striker got comfortable with his new position and started delivering, not before plying the same at a few other clubs including Vasco SC and Churchill Brothers SC, why shouldn't anyone believe that he has to receive a senior national team call-up?
Would YOU like to suggest the names of any more Indian strikers?
Feel free to have your say in the comments box below...
Feel free to have your say in the comments box below...
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