HEROES IN THE SEAWEED

CLIMAX LAWRENCE: 28, Dempo/Goa (central midfielder, left)
For coach Houghton he is the most valuable player in the Indian line-up: the lynchpin. An elegant, sharp and highly intelligent playmaker, but languid, very much a football artist in the mould of Argentine Juan Pablo Riquelme. Almost every important goal that India scored at the Nehru Cup had a Lawrence touch to it somewhere. But pace is a problem. He’s not exactly a ball-winner, and extreme right-footedness is a limitation that needs sorting out.

NP PRADEEP: 24, Mahindra United/Kerala (attacking midfielder)
His jovial and easy demeanour would give no clue to what he transforms into when on the football field. Truly the most improved player in the Indian line-up. Ever since he sprang onto the junior scene in 1999, comparisons were drawn with the indomitable IM Vijayan. It is only now that Pradeep is living up to the expectations. The pleasure he derives from playing the beautiful game is etched all over. A true box-to-box player, both tireless and fearless, with a great striking ability to boot. At the Nehru Cup he started India’s campaign with the opening goal against Cambodia and finished it with the winner against Syria in the final.

AJAYAN NAIR: 28, Mahindra United/Kerala (attacking midfielder, left wing)
For long he has been Renedy Singh’s understudy, and the robust midfielder grabbed the opportunity when it came his way. He scored the goal of the tournament after coming on as a substitute against Syria in the league match, with a brilliant left footer that even surprised him. Shrugging off an injury lay-off, he hit top form immediately and proved his worth in different positions. His searching left-footers in the final kept Syria’s ‘keeper on tenterhooks. The coach calls him the man who can fit into Climax’s and Renedy’s boots.

NS MANJU: 26, Mohun Bagan/Karnataka (left back and central defender)
A tall, well-built player, groomed as a left-winger by Houghton. With his pace up the flank, he provides the ideal thrust to the build-up. At times though, his casual ways can put the team into trouble, the reassuring presence of Mahesh Gawli covering up such extravagance. Under Houghton’s astute guidance he can become a powerful presence in the deep.

GOURAMANGI SINGH: 22, Churchill Brothers/Manipur (right stopper)
His commitment to the game can be gauged from the fact that despite not being able to play a single NFL match in the last two years, he still came on the ground against international opposition and gave a lion-hearted performance. Houghton loves his attitude. This naturalised defender seemed to be hesitant at first but soon developed confidence in reading the balls from the deep and marking his man. With Gawli for company, the meek youngster’s self-belief has been growing.

MAHESH GAWLI: 28, Dempo/Maharashtra (left stopper)
The most sought-after by most Indian clubs. His breathtaking show in the final against Syria demonstrated why. Had to shoulder the extra responsibility after the injury to Deepak Mondal and the way he marshalled a new-look defence was admirable. Missed most of the last season with injury but his return has been outstanding. His silken tackles drew applause even from Syrian coach Fazer Ibraheem. Was also one of the the most consistent players, along with Steven Dias and goalkeeper Subrato Paul.

IRUNGBANI SURKUMAR SINGH: 24, East Bengal /Manipur (right back)
The red-hot and mercurial Manipuri is the fastest Indian on the turf; and with the most volatile head too. The Manipuri had to be told to curb his attacking instincts midway in the game with Bangladesh. Despite a poor sense of positioning, he played well within himself in subsequent games, yet another Houghton influence. Having seen him run a full 30 meters back just to hit an opponent and earn a red card in the last Santosh Trophy in Gurgaon, Surkumar was a revelation at the Nehru Cup. He not only kept his head but also managed to get Syria reduced to 10 men in the final.

SUBRATO PAUL: 23, East Bengal/Bengal (goalkeeper)
Given the nod ahead of regular goalkeeper veteran Sandip Nandy, Paul paid the coach back for the faith reposed in him with a solid show under the bar. Reassuring in ball collection and fearless in going off his line. His wonderful show in the final was a major contributor to India’s first major title in over three decades. He kept the slate clean against all teams but Syria (in the league match) and even of the three goals he conceded there, two were defensive errors.

TARIF AHMED: 23, East Bengal/Bengal (striker)
Son of a brick-kiln worker in eastern Bengal, Tarif, according to his coach, is a fast-improving player and should soon be a certainty in the XI. Did not get much opportunity during the Nehru Cup but the fleet-footed and well-built opportunist striker is certainly one for the future.

ABHISHEK YADAV: 27, Mumbai FC/ Maharashtra (striker)
Tall, as Houghton likes them. Shot to fame five years back after scoring the winner at the LG Cup in Vietnam. But freak injuries and an on-field accident almost cut his career short. Houghton picked him for his heading prowess. Got a goal against Kyrgyzstan in his typical direct style. An able substitute for the strike duo of Bhutia and Chhetri, with quarter of an hour to go. His lurking presence in the box gives extra headache to rival defenders.

CLIFFORD MIRANDA: 26, Dempo/Goa (left winger)
Fast and combative. The Goan is the first-choice replacement in Houghton’s book. With Renedy out of sorts in the first few matches, Houghton gave him an opportunity to start against Syria, but failed to impress as he seemed to run out of gas in the early second half. His powerful late rush is nevertheless a welcome sign for India in the wee hours of match. Clifford will do well to take notes from club-mates Climax and Mahesh for more dexterity on field.

P RENEDY SINGH: 28, JCT/Manipur (left winger)
The TFA graduate is, along with Bhaichung, the most experienced player in the team. Of late has lacked the qualities that once made him a force to reckon with. Has been in and out of the first XI, but was finally edged out of the first team by Ajayan. Coach Houghton would like to take the Nehru Cup as an aberration for Renedy. “He still has quite a few years of football left and is crucial in my scheme,” says Houghton.

MEHARAJUDDIN WADOO: 23, East Bengal/Jammu and Kashmir (central midfielder)
The tall and well-built man from the valley has that extra flourish in the attack. His physique promises much activity that Houghton can use.

SYED RAHIM NABI: 22, East Bengal/Bengal (left back)
The nippy winger has played in almost all positions for his club, as a successful striker too, but in Houghton’s team he has fallen back. A good replacement for Manju, but still awaiting his turn.

DEEPAK KUMAR MONDAL: 27, Mohun Bagan/Bengal (right stopper)
It was a welcome return to the central defence for Mondal. Prior to his knee injury was known for his tackling and heading prowess.

BUNGO SINGH: 27, No club/Manipur (central midfielder)
The moody prodigy, as Houghton puts it, is well on the lines of becoming a successor to Climax. Without a club after a stretched and troubled stint at Churchill. The coach feels he is the best bet when it comes to a packed situation: fast, strong and clever.

SANDIP NANDY: 32, Mahindra United/Bengal (goalkeeper)
The veteran of many bruised battles for India, Nandy made way for a younger Paul. But the Mahindra United custodian, who draws inspiration from former German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, is hopeful of staging a comeback soon. At least the healthy rivalry between the statemates augurs well.