Detailed squads of all I-League teams for the 2021-22 season

India’s oldest top-tier professional football league is ready to resume on Boxing Day.

A mere one day remains till the battle for the title is renewed between teams and their revamped squads in the 2021-22 season of the I-League! Last season gave way to a new champion as Gokulam Kerala won their first-ever league title and a debut spot in the AFC Cup. The Malabarians rewrote history as they tipped off Churchill Brothers to the title after beating TRAU FC 4-1.

Mohammedan made an impressive return to the league last season as they finished sixth. Aizawl FC, looked far from their 2017 title-winning side, as they could only manage to finish at the top of the Relegation Stage teams. Churchill Brothers also had a great season but lost out to Gokulam Kerala on head-to-head record and goal difference.

A new season, however, hands out a blank slate to all teams. Allow us at Khel Now, to give you a tour of each team's squad for the 2021-22 season of the I-League.

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Aizawl FC

https://twitter.com/AizawlFC/status/1473633891978125312?s=20

The Mizoram-based outfit managed to finish sixth after competing in the Relegation Stage and topped the group last season. Aizawl wrote their names in the I-League’s history books as they replicated Leicester City’s run to the Premier League crown(2015-16) and got themselves the league trophy as underdogs. Khalid Jamil’s revolutionary management earned him a place as the head coach of the current NorthEast United squad in the ISL. Despite such a successful few years, Aizawl must put wind in their sails this year if they are to compete for the lucrative I-League trophy once again in the 2021-22 season. 

Tentative Squad

Goalkeepers: Lalremruata Arema, Lalmuansanga, Lalthakima Ralte, Anuj Kumar, Vanlahriatpuia.

Defenders: Chawnghlut Lalrosanga, K. Lalmalsawma, Lalmuanzova, Merloy Laldinsanga.

Midfielders: Lal Hmangaihkima, Joseph Vanlalhruaia, Lalrammawia Rammawia, Ayush Chhetri, Ramhlunchhunga, Alfred Jaryan, Matías Verón, Lalengmawia.

Forwards: Lalliansanga, Haunhar Lalmuankima, F. Lalremsanga, R.Lalthanmawia.

Churchill Brothers

The two-time winners last won the league in the 2012-13 season amidst stiff competition. They majestically fought till the last match in the previous season. However, two losses against eventual champions Gokulam Kerala cost them the trophy. They will be looking to replicate their form and go a step further by sealing the deal this season. New signing and the club’s first-ever Guinean player, Sekou Sylla will be looking to hit the ground running as well.

Tentative Squad

Goalkeepers: Shilton Paul, Jafar Mondal, Nora Fernandes.

Defence: Mamit Vanlalduatsanga, Suresh Meitei, Vikas Singh Saini, Kamran Farooque, Wendell Savio Coelho, Keenan Almeida, Jovel Martins, Shadi Skaf.

Midfield: Quan Gomes, Clencio Pinto, Kingsley Fernandes, Israil Gurung, Shubert Pereira, Varun Thokchom, Alen Deory, Bryce Miranda, Altamash Sayed, Lalengzama Vangchhia, Joseph Clemente, Richard Costa, Guilherme Escuro, Luv Kapoor.

Forwards: Vinil Poojary, Afdal VK, Lamgoulen Hangshing, Ginminthang Hangsing, Saurav Mandal, Sekou Sylla, Kenneth Ikechukwu.

Gokulam Kerala

https://twitter.com/GokulamKeralaFC/status/1473918323595218948?s=20

The Malabarians became the first club from Kerala to win the I-League last season. Gokulam will look to retain their title and fend off all challengers as they gear up for the next season. They will be looking to keep Churchill Brothers at bay and clinching a crucial first win on December 26. Last season’s best-emerging player award winner Emil Benny will also be looking to inspire his teammates while keeping his glowing form intact. 

Tentative Squad

Goalkeepers: Rakshit Dagar, Vigneshwaran Baskaran, Ajmal P. A.

Defenders: Ajin Tom, Mohammed Jassim, Alex Saji, Pawan Kumar, Aminou Bouba, Muhammad Uvais, Takhellambam Deepak.

Midfielders: Charles Anandraj, Rishad PP, Emil Benny, Muhammed Rashid, Zodingliana Ralte, Thahir Zaman, Sharif Mukhammad, Abhijith K.

Forwards: Sourav K, Ngangom Ronald Singh, Jithin M S, Rahim Osumanu, Beneston Barretto.

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Indian Arrows 

The AIFF maintained youth talent development club finished 11th in the league last season. A project mainly re-initiated to give game time to U-17 World Cup players after a successful hosting of the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, the team has barely found its feet. A higher finish in the league would give the players the confidence to rely on their abilities and aim for higher objectives. Indian Arrows surely have a point to prove as the youngest group of players in the 2021-22 I-League season. 

Tentative Squad

Goalkeepers: Naveen Saini, Santosh Singh Irengbam, Syed Zahid Hussain Bukhari, Ahan Prakash.

Defenders: Abdul Hanan, Kushang Subba, Sajad Hussain Parray, Praful Kumar, Evan Thapa, Tankadhar Bag, Dipu Halder, Brijesh Giri, Leewan Castanha.

Midfielders: Pragyan Medhi, Lalchhanhima Chawnghlut, Harsh Shailesh Patre, Lalchhanhima Sailo, Ricky John Shabong.

Forwards: Vanlalruatfela Thlacheu, Parthib Sunder Gogoi, Arya Gandharva, Mohamed L. Ahamed, Tapan Haldar, Vishva Vijay Shinde.

Kenkre FC

Chennai City FC were barred from participation in the league, and Kenkre FC replaced them as they were the runners-up of the 2021 I-League Qualifiers. This is the Mumbai-based teams’ first outing in the I-League as they will surely look to build on their improvement in the qualifiers. Maha Football League champions in 2010 are the only jewel on their crown and they will be aiming to make a name for themselves during this season. 

Tentative Squad

Goalkeepers: Bishorjit Singh, Tenzin Samdup, Aayush Shah.

Defenders: Umair Momin,  Suraj Negi,  Faiz Khan, Al Azhar Delhiwala, Zacharie Mbenda, Nitesh Aswani.

Midfielders: Kiran Pandhare, Ashrafali Makandar, Afzar Noorani, Siddhart Colaco, Shaun Fernandes, Aman Gaikwad, Aniket Panchal, Rinaldo Fernandes, Rohan Shukla, Aravinraj Rajan, Pravitto Raju.

Forwards: Arya Gandharva, Dipu Mirdha, Yash Mhatre, Silvester Sarao, Yogesh Kadam, Lester Fernandez, Ranjeet Singh Pandre P, Varun Mathur.

Mohammedan SC

https://twitter.com/MohammedanSC/status/1473867361648521222?s=20

One of Kolkata’s oldest football clubs returned to the I-League after winning the 2019–20 I-League 2nd Division tournament. They have always played second fiddle to giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan and their absence is sure to revitalize them once more. Additionally, they won their 12th Calcutta Football League title this year,  after a forty-year-long wait, defeating Railway FC 1–0. Newly appointed Russian UEFA Pro license holder Andrey Chernyshov will try and build on the team’s positives after they lost the title-winning match to FC Goa in the Durand Cup. Bank on Mohammedan to put up a show in their games as they look to be one of the most promising sides in I-league 2021-22.

Tentative Squad

Goalkeepers:  Mithun Samanta, Susnata Malik, Zothanmawia.

Defenders: Manoj Mohammed, Safiul Rahaman, Shaher Shaheen, Balwinder Singh, Arijeet Singh, Sujit Sadhu, Sujit Sadhu.

Midfielders: Andjelo Rudović, Faisal Ali,  Sanjib Ghosh, Nikola Stojanović, Firoj Ali, SK Faiaz, Milan Singh,  Ridge Demello, Sushil Meitei.

Forwards: Marcus Joseph, Brandon Vanlalremdika, Sanjay Chatterjee, Phrangki Buam, Jaskaranpreet Singh.

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NEROCA FC

Northeast India's lone finalist of the coveted Durand Cup finished bottom of the Relegation Stage and got formally relegated, but were reinstated by AIFF after viewing the situation of the Covid-19 pandemic. Khogen Singh’s appointment at the helm of the coaching staff will be under scrutiny once the season kicks off. 

Tentative Squad

Goalkeepers: Prateek Kumar Singh, Shubham Dhas, .

Defenders: Jonathan Cardozo, Madan Saiprasad Ghogale, Ben Quansah, Mohammad Abdul Salam, Romtan Singh, Kongbrailatpam Manjit Sharma, Seikhohao Haokip, Inban Udhyanidhi.

Midfielders: Vicky Meitei, Juan Mera, Benjamin Lupheng, Khaimithang Lhungdim, TH Hrishikesh Namboothiri, Y. Sonam Chothe, Pukhrambam Manisana, Jiteshwor Yumkhaibam, Ayush Kumar Singh.

Forwards: Sergio Mendigutxia, Mohamad Kdouh, Sweden Fernandes.

RoundGlass Punjab

Punjab finished fourth last season and had a decent run of games as they gathered 22 points from 15 games. Formerly known as Minerva Punjab, the outfit won its maiden I-league title in 2018. Since then they’ve always looked threatening but not quite the ferocious competitors. One of the current forwards must imitate Chencho Gyeltshen’s role to lead the team to more wins and look to become league champions. A star-studded line-up filled with veterans like Rino Anto, Cavin Lobo, Robin Singh, and C.K. Vineeth should be more than enough to supplement the squad in acquiring the crown of I-League champions in the 2021-22 season. 

Tentative Squad

Goalkeepers: Jaspreet Singh, Jaskarenvir Singh.

Defenders: Saurabh Bhanwala, Bikash Yumnam, Denzil Kharshandi, Aakash Sangwan, Ashray Bhardwaj, Abhishek Verma, Abhinas Ruidas, Lironthung Latha, Akhil Verma, Shankar Sampingiraj, Rino Anto, Gurtej Singh, Josef Yarney, Keegan Pereira, Lalchhuanmawia.

Midfielders: Bikramjit Singh, Souvik Das, Joseba Beitia, Telem Suranjit Singh, Ashangbam Aphaoba Singh, Cavin Lobo, Amandeep Singh, Kean Lewis, Ashish Pradhan.

Forwards: Rupert Nongrum, Sumeet Passi, Ashish Jha, Luntinmang Haokip, Robin Singh, C. K. Vineeth, Kurtis Guthrie, Travis Major

Rajasthan United

https://twitter.com/RajasthanUnited/status/1452271984025473030?s=20

Another new entrant in the I-League, following the 2021 I-League Qualifiers. The club participated in R-League A Division 2019 and were the inaugural winners of the league. They will also look to finish in the Championship Stage and finish their debut season strongly. Despite being newcomers, they should not be underestimated and are sure to make the I-League an even more interesting watch. 

Tentative Squad

Goalkeepers: Vishal Joon, Ayush Jena, Gaurav Kumar Singh, Bhaskar Roy.

Defenders: Gurumukh Singh, Floyd John Dharmai, Aravind Sharma, Mehul Bisht, Shreyansh Choudhary, Kanad Meena, Prashant Choudhary, Ravi Kumar Punia, Maneshwar Mushahary, Abhishek Ambekar, Hardik Bhatt.

Midfielders: Aman Thapa, Inder Mohan Singh, Raja Musharaf, Rudra Pratap Singh Bisht, Dilliram Sanyasi, Akeem Abioye, Apoorv Sirohi, Surag Chettri, Sanjay Lamba, Nitesh Sharma, Mukul Singh, Ningthoujam Pritam Singh, Pintu Mahata, Shilton D'Silva, Fabiano Alves .

Forwards: Sukhjit Singh, Harpreet Singh, Harmanjot Singh, Gyamar Nikum, Diego Bielkiewicz, Marcelinho Leite Pereira, Aman Chetri, Komron Tursunov.

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Real Kashmir

https://twitter.com/realkashmirfc/status/1340311951369334784?s=20

Real Kashmir finished in the upper half of the table, in the Championship Stage with 21 points from 15 games last season. In 2020, the newly formed club reached new heights as they beat George Telegraph at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata to win the 123rd edition of the IFA Shield tournament.  They successfully defended their title in 2021, with a 2–1 win against Sreenidi Deccan on 15 December. The Snow Leopards will look to evolve as they strive to carry their commendable form into the next edition of the I-League. 

Tentative Squad

Goalkeepers: Bilal Khan, Shubham Roy, Niraj Kumar.

Defenders: Kousik Sarkar, Lalchhawkima, Abhash Thapa, Sena Ralte, Rishik Laxman, Zahid Yousif, Paolenmang Tuboi, Muhammad Hammad, Saikat Sarkar.

Midfielders: Mason Robertson, Fran Gonzalez, Samuel Kynshi, Bhupender Singh, Surchandra Singh, Ragav Gupta, Shahnawaz Bashir, Kahetrimayum Meitei, Aaqib Amin, Pratesh Shirodkar.

Forwards: Tiago Adan, Thoi Singh,Thomyo L.Shimray, Rohmingthanga Bawlte

Sreenidi Deccan

https://twitter.com/Sreenidideccan/status/1473619296588730369?s=20

The Deccans will look to brush off their IFA Shield Finals loss to Real Kashmir and mark their debut season with a solid all-around performance.  Fernando Santiago Varela will have his task as coach cut out for the season, as he tries to get his team to play the best kind of football they can. New signing Phalguni Singh (and last seasons’ best midfielder award winner) can also be one of the driving forces of his team to help them produce better results in I-League 2021-22. 

Tentative Squad

Goalkeepers: Ubaid CK, Harsh Patil, Shibinraj Kunniyil.

Defenders: Shahabaaz Khan, Bijay Chetri, Lalchungnunga, Dinesh Singh, Arijit Bagui, Sunil Bathala, Mohamed Salah, Samad Ali Mallick, Mohamed Awal.

Midfielders: Phalguni Singh, Umashankar Marimuthu, Fredsan Marshall, Mayakkannan, Sriram Boopathi, Shibil Muhammed, Suraj Rawat.

Forwards: Vanlalbiaa Chhangte, Girik Khosla, Juan David Castañeda, Vineeth Kumar, Rosenberg Gabriel, KP Rahul, Lalromawia, Mayosing Khongreiwoshi, Mc Malsawmzuala.

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Sudeva Delhi

Delhi-based club Sudeva Delhi FC joined the I-League in the 2020-21 season and maintained a standard position even after being pushed to the Relegation Stage. They accumulated a total of 18 points from 14 games and will look for a spot in the championship stages this time around. They will also look to erase their disappointing exit in the group stages of the Durand Cup tournament. 

Tentative Squad

Goalkeepers: Sachin Jha, Ashish Sibi.

Defenders: Augustin Fernandes, Lalliansanga Renthlei, Ngaraipam Kasomwung, Akashdeep Singh Kahlon, Kamal Choudhary, Mohit Singh, Sairuat Kima, Prashant Narayan Choudhary, Lalramhmunmawia, Amandeep P Singh. 

Midfielders: Vanlalzahawma, William Pauliankhum, Mohit Mittal, Sinam Maicheal Singh, Ngangbam Naocha, Swapnil Raj Dhaka, Lunkim Seigoulun Khongsai, Ansh Gupta, Ishan Rozario, Vanlaltlankima Blakmawla, Abhijith Elippatta, Aryav Sharma, Aneesudheen Abdul Azeez.

Forwards: Ajay Singh, Phairembam Rostam Singh, Shubho Paul.

TRAU FC

Imphal’s TRAU FC left their mark on last season’s league as they finished third and lost only thrice in 15 games. Do not let their final day loss to Gokulam Kerala leada you astray as they have an arsenal of performers to bank upon this season.  Though Hero of the season and leading goalscorer Bidyashagar Singh left for Bengaluru, the team’s playing style has a penchant for scoring goals. Nandakumar Singh’s team was second only to winners Gokulam Kerala as they scored a massive 27 goals last season. If they can maintain this form, they are sure to be seen as legitimate title challengers once again. 

Tentative Squad

Goalkeepers: Soram Anganba, H. Prasanjit Singh.

Defenders: Helder Lobato, MD Abdul Salam, Naresh Singh, James, Herojit, Roshan Singh.

Midfielders: Shougrakpam Netrajit Singh, Chongtham Kishan, Sapam Bishorjit, Cleaven Hmar, Prikanta Sorokhaibam, Yuno Richard Thaikho, Laishram Milan Singh, Meitalkeishangbam Roger, Bikash Singh Sagolshem, Joysana Nongthombam.

Forwards: Douglas Santana Veloso, Robinson, Bedashwor Singh, Joseph Olaleye, Tajuddin, Fayajuddin, Nikhil Kadam, Shilton D'Silva, Ningthoujam Olen, Akobir Turaev.

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