RoundGlass Punjab players dominate Khel Now's I-League 2022-23 team of the season

The historic season wrapped up with sides on either end of the table getting promoted and relegated.

The 2022-23 season of the I-League has come to a captivating end, as RoundGlass Punjab withstood Sreenidi Deccan's season-long challenge to be crowned as the champions of the league and earn their deserving promotion to the Indian Super League 2023-24.

While there was rejuvenation on one end, agony crept in on the other half of the table, as Kenkre and Sudeva got relegated to the third tier of Indian football, due to their 11th and 12th finish in the table.

In what was a historic season for not only the league but the entire system of club football in India, we got to see some truly startling performances, with the level of football being better than ever in the league.

There were also a number of players, who with their consistently top-notch performances, took the headlines and made an impression in everyone’s eyes.

Out of the hundreds of talents that made their mark this season, here are the players that were the most notable in their respective positions.

Goalkeeper: Shibin Raj Kunniyil (Gokulam Kerala FC)

Despite not being able to lift the silverware this season, Gokulam did pretty well through their campaign, and Shibin was a major contributor to the resounding success his team had throughout the season. The 30-year-old kept 11 clean sheets in 19 games he played this season and was a true vigilante for his team in between the sticks.

Centre Back: Naocha Huidrom (RoundGlass Punjab FC)

Naocha Huidrom had a great season with RoundGlass Punjab, as he not only won the Championship with his team, but was also a regular starter, and a key component in his team’s success. Naocha used his ISL experience to his advantage, and put in a decent shift on that right-hand side of the field, all season long. He also made more challenges (315) and interceptions (138) than any other player throughout the league.

Centre back: Bouba Aminou (Gokulam Kerala FC)

The awardee for the accolade of the best defender in the league, Bouba Aminou had a blistering season with the Malabarians. The Cameroonian made 21 appearances and scored a solitary goal. The six-foot-three feet centre-back posed a strong challenge to any team’s attack and was rock-solid in the back for his club.

Centre Back: Subhankar Adhikari (Gokulam Kerala)

Gokulam Kerala’s success in the back was also courtesy of the remarkable performances of 28-year-old Subhankar Adhikari. The robust defender was excellent in the back along with his teammate Bouba, and his positioning as well as top-notch man marking was what led to the profound success he enjoyed.

Defensive Midfielder: Samuel Kynshi (Real Kashmir FC)

Samuel Kynshi was rather the only bright spark in an otherwise dull season for Real Kashmir. The defensive midfielder was a shield of protection for his team’s defense, and also helped a lot on the offensive half, scoring six goals and provided three assists throughout the season. These are staggering numbers when you consider the defensive responsibilities that were imposed on him.

Midfielder: Lalromawia (Sreenidi Deccan FC)

Lalromwia made 14 appearances for Sreenidi Deccan and was on point with his passing as well as playmaking abilities. The player was at the heart of his team’s midfield and was a real engine in the middle of the park. His immense passion added to his stunning performances makes him a deserved inclusion in the 11.

Midfielder: Ajay Chhetri (RoundGlass Punjab FC)

Ajay Chhetri had an impressive campaign with Punjab and was an important part of Punjab’s midfield that did incredibly well throughout the season. Ajay played 19 games and made steady progress throughout the campaign. He also scored a solitary goal and provided three assists.

Attacking Midfielder: Juan Mera (RoundGlass Punjab FC)

RoundGlass Punjab FC’s star player Juan Mera was awarded the Best Midfielder of the tournament award, and rightfully so. The Spaniard had a truly terrific season and lethally combined with Luka Majcen on a number of occasions to unlock rigid defenses with much ease.  Juan finished the season with 10 goals and two assists to his name and was undoubtedly a key cog of Staikos Vergetis’s championship-winning side.

Left Winger- Salam Johnson Singh (TRAU FC)

Salam Johnson was the ‘Emerging player of the tournament award winner for the 2022-23 I-League campaign. The 18-year-old attacker made headlines in his first full season with the Red Pythons, courtesy of his stellar performance at such a young age. The player netted five goals and also provided one assist throughout the season. He has secured a move to Bengaluru FC from the 2023 Super Cup.

Right Winger - Luka Majcen (RoundGlass Punjab FC)

If there was one player, whose contributions were of the most importance in Punjab’s title triumph, it was Luka Majcen. The Slovenian completely tore apart every defense throughout the season, and was the highest goalscorer of the tournament, with 16 goals. Luka’s all-round heroics in the attack throughout the season, and his team’s title triumph also earned him the player of the tournament award.

Forward - David Castaneda (Sreenidi Deccan FC)

With 15 goals and 7 assists to his name, David Castaneda was the player with the highest number of goal contributions in the 2022-23 season of the I-League. David’s incredible performances in the attack were unmatched, and his finishing, as well as playmaking abilities, were first-class. A one-man army at the front, David was a monumental figure in Sreenidi Deccan’s incredible journey toward finishing second this season.