Indian Super League’s Kerala connection does not begin and end with Kerala Blasters FC and the two Kerala players in their squad. Instead, there is a string of footballers from the state who have found temporary homes at various clubs across the country and many of them are also impressing their coaches and fans alike.
City Express takes a look at the eight Kerala footballers who have done so in the second edition of the ISL
10 Participation of Kerala players have increased in the Indian Super League this season with 10 footballers currently playing for eight ISL clubs
Mumbai City FC ARE The only club to not have Kerala representation in their team roster for the second edition of the Indian Super League
7 The number was seven in the 2014 season. While N P Pradeep (Chennaiyin FC) and Asif Kottayil (Mumbai City FC) have missed out, five Malayalis — Rino Anto, Justin Stephen, Zakeer M P, Anas Edathodika and Vineeth C K — made It to THE INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE SQUADS THIS YEAR
Rehenesh T P, NorthEast United FC
Age: 22
Place of Birth: Kozhikode, Kerala
Position: Goalkeeper
Clubs: ONGC FC, Rangdajied United FC, Shillong Lajong FC
Anas Edathodika, Delhi Dynamos FC
Age: 28
Place of Birth: Malappuram, Kerala
Position: Centre Back
Clubs: Mumbai FC, Pune FC
Anas Edathodika is one Kerala footballer who has impressed the most in the ISL so far. The defender from Malappuram has formed a formidable partnership with former Liverpool star John Arne Riise in Roberto Carlos’ Delhi Dynamos side.
So much that the Brazilian legend has suggested that the 28-year-old should find a place in Stephen Constantine’s national team camp. In return, Anas said that he was really lucky to have the opportunity to play under Carlos. Anas started his career with Mumbai FC where he had a solid four seasons in the I-League and polished his trade as a defender under former India international Khalid Jameel. He is now the captain of I-League side Pune FC after being first given the responsibility then head coach Mike Snoei in 2013.
Denson Devadas, FC Goa
Age: 32
Place of Birth: Kannur, Kerala
Position: Central Defensive Midfielder
Clubs: Viva Kerala FC, United SC, Mohun Bagan AC
Denson Devadas began his career with S N College, Kannur and played for the college side for five years. After his college days, Denson appeared for a selection trials to Viva Kerala FC, who were set to appear in the second division of the national league.
Staying with the Kerala club for three seasons, he moved to United SC in 2007 and then to Mohun Bagan in 2012. Playing a striker for his college and during early stages of his Viva Kerala career, Denson was moved to midfield by coach T K Chathunni and then to a defensive midfield role by Karim Bencherifa at Mohun Bagan where he has now established himself. The Kannur lad wore the colours of Chennaiyin FC in the maiden edition of the Indian Super League under Italian World Cup winning defender Marco Materazzi. He has now moved to FC Goa where he is being trained by Brazilian football legend Zico. Denson, an admirer of player like Zinedine Zidane and Steven Gerrard, is a fan of Chelsea Football Club.
Justin Stephen, Chennaiyin FC
Age: 27
Place of Birth: Uzhavoor, Kottayam
Position: Centre Back
Clubs: Mahindra United, Prayag United, Mumbai FC, Mohammedan Sporting
Justin Stephen is one among the many Kerala footballers who benefited from Viva Kerala FC after signing for them in the I-League second division. He began his career with Unity Soccer Club, Thodupzuha and also played for his college side Christ College, Kottayam.
Though he could only make a handful of appearances for Viva Kerala in the second division, his talent was spotted by Mahindra United who offered him a contract. He established himself as a fine defender at the now defunct Mahindra between 2007 and 2010.
After a small break in his career due to injuries, Justin has pulled his career back on track at Mumbai FC, on his second stint with the club, more recently and has been rewarded with a first ISL contract at Chennaiyin FC this year where he is sure to learn a trick or two from coach Marco Materazzi, one of the finest defenders of his time.
Rino Anto, Atletico de Kolkata
Age: 27
Place of Birth: Thrissur, Kerala
Position: Right Back
International Appearances: 3
Clubs: Mohun Bagan AC, Salgaocar SC, Bengaluru FC
Rino Anto, born in Thrissur, has been part of a formidable backline at Bengaluru FC, including during their I-League winning campaign of 2013-14. A product of the famed Tata Football Academy, Rino made his professional bow with Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan but made a name for himself at Salgaocar SC under coach Karim Bencherifa.
After signing up for Kerala’s Quartz FC in the I-League second division and appearing for Kerala in Santosh Trophy 2013, Rino joined Bengaluru FC were he has prospered and helped his team win the league in 2014 and Federation Cup in 2015. Rino has started twice for Atletico de Kolkata under Spanish coach Antonio Lopez Habaz in the ISL so far. Rino was called to the national camp by Stephen Constantine in February 2015 but was forced to withdraw due to an injury. However, he did not have wait too long as he won his first cap against Oman in the FIFA World Cup Qualifier in June.
Zakeer M P, Chennaiyin FC
Age: 25
Place of Birth: Malappuram, Kerala
Position: Central Midfielder
Clubs: Viva Kerala FC, Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan AC, Salgaocar SC
Beginning his career at the age of 15 and playing for local sides like Spandanam Areakode and Areakode Town FC and for his college MES College, Mampad, Zakeer was signed on by State Bank of Travancore in 2009. After spending a season at the departmental team, Zakeer joined Viva Kerala in 2010 and went on to captain the team in the I-League as they successfully avoided relegation from the top division. He would take his fine form to Goan giants Churchill Brothers after signing for them next season. He will then move to United SC.
Sushanth Mathew, FC Pune CIty
Age: 34
Place of Birth; Ambalavayal, Wayanad
Position: Midfielder
Clubs: Vasco Goa, Mahindra United FC, East Bengal FC, Mohun Bagan AC, Rangdajied United FC
His goal against Chennaiyin FC in the home leg of ISL’s semi final at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi last year has been etched into the memories of Kerala Blasters’ supporters. Sushanth, is a veteran of the game, having been around in Indian football for around two decades now.
He began his career with FC Kochin as a youth player and then moved on to Vasco Goa wher he won his first senior cap. He represented several teams in his career, most notably Mahindra United and East Bengal, under English coach Trevor Morgan.
He made five appearances for Blasters in the first ISL as they ended on the losing side against Atletico de Kolkata in the final and is now a member of David Platt’s FC Pune City where he is joined by the likes of Adrian Mutu and Tuncay Sanli.
C S Sabeeth, FC Goa
Age: 24
Place of Birth: Ootty, Tamil Nadu
Position: Striker
International Appearances: 2
Clubs: Viva Kerala FC, Indian Arrows, Mohun Bagan AC, East Bengal FC
Sabeeth, born in Ootty to Malayali parents from Wayanad, joined Viva Kerala FC at the age of 19 as a very promising striker. He had represented India at under-17 level by then and would go on to win four under-23 and two senior caps for the country.
From Viva, Sabeeth joined AIFF’s developmental side Indian Arrows and then went to Mohun Bagan were he made over 40 appearances. In the first ISL, Sabeeth made eight appearances for David James’ Kerala Blasters and scored once.
Despite showing plenty of promise, Sabeeth’s early career was hampered by a string of injuries denying him opportunities at both the club and national level. However, he is now hoping for an injury-free patch to get back to his footballing best.