ISL Season 8:The Indian U-17 team that featured in the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup was the first team from the country to feature at such a big stage. While India finished last in their group and lost all three games, the preparation and the exposure that the players got ahead of the tournament would surely pay dividends to Indian football. Follow all the Indian football Updates only on InsideSport.IN
The players from that batch are surprisingly doing well barring a few exceptions. Most of them have been in stellar form this season and has played a very crucial role in their team’s performance this season.
Let us take a look at the entire Indian U-17 team that created history and where they are currently.
Goalkeepers
Dheeraj Singh (FC Goa)
India’s most talked-about player from the tournament is currently plying his trade for FC Goa. He has featured in the AFC Champions League this season and there his exceptional performances saw him get into the prestigious team of the tournament. This Indian Super League has not been the best for Dheeraj as he has lost his place in the starting eleven, especially since former head coach Juan Ferrando’ departure from the team.
Derrick Pereira has mostly preferred the more experienced Naveen Kumar. Nevertheless, Dheeraj is considered one of the most talented goalkeepers in the country and is surely one for the future.
Kerala Blasters goalkeeper Prabsukhan Gill leads the race for Golden Glove with four clean sheets in ISL. Interestingly, he was a defender — on the substitutes bench – for two international tournaments that India U-17 played under Nicolai Adam. pic.twitter.com/zv0Ep5bGxs
— Marcus Mergulhao (@MarcusMergulhao) January 12, 2022
Prabshukhan Gill (Kerala Blasters)
Dheeraj Singh’s backup at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Prabshukhan got to showcase his skills after the event. When he joined Indian Arrows. His time at Indian Arrows in the I-League gave people an idea of the gem of a goalkeeper he can turn out to be. The young custodian was picked up by Bengaluru FC in 2019 and made his Indian Super League debut for the Blues. It was in September 2020 when he joined Kerala Blasters.
Prabshukan has had a stellar campaign with the Yellow Army as he replaced the injured Albino Gomes with aplomb. The youngster has shown his great reflexes and also his great passing range helping Ivan Vukomanovic build from the back.
Sunny Dhaliwal
One of the surprise inclusion in this team has to be Sunny Dhaliwal. The custodian is nowhere near the Indian football scene since the FIFA U-17 World Cup. A 6 feet 5-inch tall custodian who lives in Canada was scouted by the All India Football Federation’s innovative online portal. He managed to procure an Indian passport
Defenders
35 yards out, hits the frame, bounces in.
Anwar Ali's stunning freekick last night, which gave India U-20 a historic 2-1 win over Argentina U-20 in the @Cotif Cup. #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/IPaBivstC4— Mihir Vasavda (@mihirsv) August 6, 2018
Anwar Ali (FC Goa)
Another star coming out of the India U-17 team was Indian centre back Anwar Ali. The youngster was a part of the Indian Arrows setup and was one of the most highly-rated players to come out of the U-17 team. Remember when the Indian U-19 team defeated Argentina 2-1? Yes, that winner from a freekick was scored by Anwar Ali. However, health issues put many roadblocks in his career but currently he is plying his trade for ISL outfit FC Goa.
Sanjeev Stalin (Kerala Blasters)
Sanjeev Stalin came up with that assist that led to Jeakson Singh’s historic goal at the U-17 World Cup. He was one of the craftiest players in that setup with an exceptional left foot. The young fullback currently plies his trade for Kerala Blasters.
Boris Singh Thangjam (Jamshedpur FC)
An absolute ball of energy, Boris Singh has not changed much since his U-17 days. His days from the Arrows refined his skills and made him a more polished player. But then he joined ATK and was mostly on the sidelines due to excessive competition. But a move to Jamshedpur FC has changed his fortunes recently as he is developing into a great left winger under Owen Coyle.
Namit Deshpande
Namit was from the US Soccer Development Academy, he came to India to feature for the Blue Colts in the tournament. He played against Colombia in the U-17 World Cup and nothing much after that. He returned to the US after the tournament.
Hendry Antonay (Odisha FC)
The Bengaluru born defender was an unused substitute throughout the tournament. Antonay who was part of the Chennaiyin FC reserves made his way up to the senior team before jumping ship to join Odisha FC.
Jitendra Singh (Jamshedpur FC)
Jitendra is probably one of the most versatile players to come out of this setup. His ability to play in multiple defensive roles ad also a defensive midfielder provides the coaches with a lot of flexibility. Coming out of the AIFF Elite Academy the Kolkata based player has made a name for himself in the Jamshedpur FC setup under the tutelage of Owen Coyle. He currently prefers a defensive midfielder role in a double pivot system.
Also Read: NEU vs BFC: Bengaluru FC aim to keep their playoff hopes alive with a win against NorthEast United
Midfielders
Suresh Singh Wangjam (Bengaluru FC)
Suresh Singh’s progression from the India U-17 team to the India senior team has been nothing less than metronomic. The burly midfielder developed himself during his Arrows stint in the I-League and then featured for the Bengaluru FC reserves before making it to the senior side. He is one of the first names in the teamsheet for Marco Pezzaiuoli’s men.
Ninthoinganba Meetei (Chennaiyin FC)
Ninthoinganba continued on his performances from the U-17 World Cup as he featured in the U-18 SAFF Championships and there he ended up as being the MVP. Meetei is fast and has great decision making, a rare skill in young Indian wingers currently. The youngster impressed everyone at NorthEast United last season and hence Chennaiyin FC decided to secure his services ahead of the current season by paying a transfer fee.
Amarjit Singh Kiyam (SC East Bengal)
Amarjit was the designated captain of the Indian U-17 side that featured at the marquee tournament. Once considered India football’s blue-eyed boy, Amarjit Singh’s stock has fallen in the last year. He was going through a purple patch as he joined Jamshedpur FC and even made his national team debut. The young midfielder then got injured and lost form and eventually left Jamshedpur to join FC Goa, where again he could not impress the management that much. Currently, he is plying his trade for SC East Bengal in an uncharacteristic right back/right-wing role.
Abhijit Sarkar (Sudeva Delhi)
Heading into the U-17 World Cup, a name that was on everyone’s mouth at least back in West Bengal was Abhijit Sarkar. A proper attacking midfielder who can also play as a support striker showed a lot of promise. His performances in the tournament earned him a spot in the Indian Arrows setup. Sarkar firstly had a stint with Chennaiyin FC and later featured for SC East Bengal. However, he currently plays for Sudeva Delhi in the I-League.
Komal Thatal (Jamshedpur FC)
Before Manish Kalyan, there was another Indian who scored against Brazil. Komal Thatal was one of the most hyped names in the setup. However, he gave only a glimpse at the tournament as Matos only used him for the first game against the USA. He made his ILS debut with ATK and was mostly a fringe player for a couple of years. But he regained his form again when he joined Jamshedpur FC this season. Currently, he is out with an injury as Jamshedpur FC are on the verge of scripting history.
Lalengmawia Ralte (Mumbai City FC)
Lalengmawia started slowly as he was mostly a fringe player during the marquee tournament. But he saw his stock rise after joining the ISL. Apuia made his name for NorthEast United and became the youngest captain to ever feature in the ISL. He joined Mumbai City FC ahead of this season and has been one of the most talented Indian players in the last couple of years.
Jeakson Singh (Kerala Blasters FC)
The only Indian player to score in a FIFA World Cup, Jeakson Singh has etched his name in Indian football history forever. Jeakson was impressive during his Arrows days in the I-League. But his performances soared higher this season at Kerala Blasters under head coach Ivan Vukomanovic.
Nongdamba Naorem (FC Goa)
Naorem was another talented winger who came through the U-17 setup. After the tournament, he featured for the Arrows and scored a sensational goal against Shillong Lajong that saw his stocks rise massively. He was then signed by FC Goa and later loaned out to Mohun Bagan. His best season with the Mariners under Kibu Vicuna. He is currently plying his trade for the Gaurs.
Rahul Kannoly Praveen (Kerala Blasters)
One of the most skilful players in this setup, Rahul KP has seen a meteoric rise since the tournament. The youngster is known for his pace and trickery and his impressive performances for Indian Arrows meant that Kerala Blasters came calling. Rahul KP missed the majority of the current campaign but he has returned just in the nick of time. Vukomanovic will hope that his return pushes them to the playoffs.
Md. Shahjahan (Delhi Football Club)
Mohammed Shahjahan was another player who was an unused substitute in the tournament. Interestingly, Nicolai Adam removed him from the team but later Luis Norton de Matos brought him back. The young centre midfielder currently plies his trade for Delhi Football Club.
Forwards
Rahim Ali (Chennaiyin FC)
Rahim Ali was one of the only two forwards selected for the marquee tournament. However, he has found more joy in playing as a support striker. The former Mohun Bagan academy player was very impressive for the Indian Arrows and was signed by Chennaiyin FC. He is currently one of the important players in the Marina Machans setup. The young forward gets into great positions but needs to work more on his decision making and finishing. Rahim has registered two goals and as many assists this season.
Aniket Jadhav (Hyderabad FC)
The last on the list, Aniket Jadhav was also among highly rated players ahead of the U-17 World Cup. Although he looked a little immature for the responsibilities given to him during the tournament. But Aniket earned a training call-up at the Blackburn Rovers academy that surely helped him add more feathers to his cap. Currently plying his trade for Hyderabad FC, this has been his breakthrough year in the ISL under Manolo Marquez.
Editors pick
