Meet the Players
27th June, 2008
2. ANAS EDATODIKA
Young and fearless is the best description of this relatively unknown player from Kondotty, Kerala. Anas has given a good account of himself in the second division and many believe his talent and attitude will get him places. A good tackler, his anticipation of his opponents? plays makes him stand out. He is also an excellent header and sticks to his man.
3. JAMES DISSIRAMAH
Former Captain of Ghana, the tall defender marshals the defense and gives good support to the midfield. James has played for Ghana in the African Nations Cup and Topfo Cup. He has also played for Valencia in the Maldives.
4. BALPREET SINGH
Balpreet is a young defender from the Punjab. A tireless worker on the football field, he has the right combination of tackling and winning air balls that will see him rise up ranks. He has played for the Punjab University and is a product of the JCT Academy.
5. SELWYN FERNANDES
The tough center back from Salcette, Goa makes use of his excellent reach with exceptional timing on tackles that is crucial in the box. His other qualities of reading plays and winning headers make him a mainstay in the center of defense. He has had NFL experience with Vasco, Salgaokar and East Bengal.
6. KHALID JAMIL
Khalid is arguably a modern legend in the football fraternity. The former India player has also played for Air India, Mahindra United and RCF. Always leading by example, the midfield general makes his presence felt on and off the field as a motivator of men. A top notch player, his game has a style and elegance not often seen in the game.
7. KUTTY MANI
Kutty is a strong midfielder from Mangalore and is a current India team player. His unique quality of soaking all the pressure and delivering a performance makes his presence a vital component in any team. He is a natural goal getter and has previously played for HAL, Bangalore.
8. NOEL WILSON
A TFA Academy product, Noel is a highly experienced center mid. He is exceptional with his passing and movement on the ball. A dead ball specialist, the natural born leader from Mangalore has played for Mohun Bagan, Churchill Bros. and FC Kochi.
9. ABHISHEK YADAV
Mumbai?s own current India player is lethal with headers in the box. The former Churchill Bros. and Mahindra United man has perhaps the best chest control in the country and is deceptively quick for his height. Abhishek also helps out in defense during dead ball situations.
10. FELIX ABOAGYE
The most experienced and decorated player in Mumbai FC, Felix Ahmed Aboagye has captained the Ghana U23 national Olympic team and represented his country twice in the African Nations Cup. He is the only player in the I League to play in the UEFA Champions League, making his debut for Olympiakos against FC Porto. He is a prolific goal scorer with the ability holds off his marker. A true team player, one will find his name in the top assists list every season.
11. ABEL HAMMOND
A former player for Brescia FC in the junior Italian Serie A, Abel is a recent acquisition who also hails from Ghana. A clean striker of the ball, the man from Accra is one of the few players who can genuinely threaten the keeper from 40 yards out. Quick on his feet, few can compete with him in his leap for an air ball.
12. LIHAZ KOYA
Matunga?s Lihaz Koya has represented the U19 Maharashtra State team and was picked when he was playing for Union Bank. With age on his side, the goal keeper has fantastic positioning sense.
12. ALEX AMBROSE
Alex is a clinical finisher in the box and has the ability to hold the well. Ambrose combines pace with intelligence to leave defenders in the dock. The boy from Dadar is an experienced top flight player having played for Vasco, Franca, Salgaonkar, AI, and Dempo.
13. KALYAN CHAUBEY
?Mr. Dependable? is what he is called in the team. Kalyan?s years of experience between the posts and his calm and composed attitude puts confidence in his defenders. Hailing from Kolkata, Chaubey is well known for his vocal presence, excellent positioning and agility as a keeper. The former India no. 1 has plied his trade in JCT, East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Franca Pax and Salgaokar.
14. ANTHONY FERNANDES
This young left back from Dhobitalao, Mumbai is another player full of potential. The former ONGC and Union Bank player is a tireless worker with good speed and overlapping skills.
16. L. ROMENJIT SINGH
Romenjit is a speedy right-back from Manipur. A powerful striker of the ball, the youngster has an aggressive attacking mentality to his game.
18. JOHN BENEDICK
John?s a tall central defender from Bengaluru and is a clean tackler of the ball. He is especially good with defending set pieces and corners and has a vision for long ball plays.
19. SANJAY PARTE
One of the most experienced players in the team; this Jharkhand defender covers the ground tirelessly and has wonderful overlapping runs. He connects well with strikers and wingers and is an asset to the squad. Sanjay has previously played for teams like Mahindra Utd. and Mohun Bagan.
20. PETER SIDDIQUE
Peter is a veteran defender who hails from Kanpur, UP. He is renowned for his no nonsense approach as a center back and stick to his man like glue on paper. Siddique doesn?t think twice about putting his body on the line and his aggressive attitude make forwards wary of his presence on field. Peter has represented sides like Mohun Bagan and Mahindra United before signing for Mumbai FC.
20. KEEGAN PEREIRA
Dane?s younger brother, Keegan is gifted with pace and ball control. A left footed player, Keegan has a bright future ahead of him.
20. RISTON RODRIGUES
The second Goan member in the squad, Riston is a mid field general who supplies the ball amazingly well to his forwards. His awareness of open spaces for strikers to exploit keep his assists tally always ticking. This wily playmaker is also a free kick specialist and moved to Mumbai FC from current champions Dempo.
21. ASEEM K
Older of the first ever twin pair in Mumbai FC, this winger from Mallapuram, Kerala has terrific pace and ball control. His runs inside from the flanks and intelligent plays make him one of the most deadly wingers in the I League. Aseem has previously played for Salgaokar SC of Goa at the top flight.
23. DANE LLOYD PEREIRA
Dane is another upcoming player from Borivali, Mumbai. He can play as a right back and a right midfielder. The former Mahindra United player has a good first touch and is a powerful header of the ball.
23. KULOTHUGAN K
Tamil Nadu?s ?Kulo? is an attacking central midfielder and possesses silky skills moving forward. He comes into his own playing just behind the striker and is a natural goal scorer. The 27 year old has played for East Bengal, Mohd. Sporting and Mahindra United.
23. NELSON CARDOZ
Nelson is left footed player who is as fast in his thinking as he is with his feet. The youngster is gifted with natural skills and ball control. He has previously played at Bombay Customs.
24. SUBHAS CHAKRABORTY
The third team member from Kolkata, Subhas makes a fantastic winger with his ball control and incredible pace. Its tough to win the ball from him on the wings and stepovers is one of his main weapons to dodge past markers. This former India player has played in Mohun Bagan and Mahindra United.
25. JAGDISH PAPPIAH
Flair is the perhaps the best description of Pappiah?s style of play. The influential Mangalorian mid-fielder can change the face of the game with his South American style of movement when in possession of the ball. A visionary attacking central player, Jagdish has played for India U15 and U19 teams as well as represented Sporting Clube de Goa in the NFL.
27. CRAIG D'SOUZA
Craig is a local lad with a cool finish. The forward is a fighter and has a good leap for the air ball.
28. KAMALJEET KUMAR
The left back from Jammu & Kashmir is a young lad full of potential. A clean striker of the ball, Kamaljeet?s biggest plus point is his ability to play offensive and defensive roles with equal ease.
30. DARREN CALDEIRA
At 20 years, talented Darren is on the verge of a top flight debut. The lad from Andheri plays in the left half of mid-field and has a tendency to pop up and score goals.
31. ANEES K
Anees was brought on board this season and the younger twin has many of the same qualities of his brother when it comes to breakaway runs or dribbling. He is also a fabulous crosser of the ball. Anees has played for Salgaokar and Mahindra United.
32. Hirohito Elangban
?Hiro? is a young schemer from Manipur. A pupil of the TFA, he is as skillful as they get at a very young age. He has represented the junior India team and has spent some time in Air India.
34. PRADEEP MOHANRAJ
Born in the Nilgiri?s, he is the youngest player in the squad at 18 years. Pradeep is already an integral part of the U19 Indian team. The left footed lad is a good holding mid fielder, a phenomenal passer of the ball and has a deadly long range kick.
