Internet Desk: In preparation for season three of the Indian Super League (ISL) Mumbai City FC has signed in David Lalrinmuana, Pronay Halder, Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte, and Anwar Ali after their formidable performance in past leagues. With this Mumbai City FC eyes a bigger leap in rankings for the upcoming season.
David Lalrinmuana, who will turn 24 in November this year, was the captain for Aizawl FC in the 2015-16 I-League season. Lalrinmuana helped Aizwal FC get promoted into the top division of Indian Football and was even adjudged Mizoram Premier League “Player of the Year” 2015 and 2016. Nominated for the FPAI Fans Player of the Year for the 2015-16 season, he will be seen bolstering the midfield this season for Mumbai City FC.
Pronay Halder, represented Mohun Bagan in the 2015-16 I-League as a defensive midfielder and is one of the promising Indian players around signed by Mumbai City FC. Halder has represented India at the under-19 and under-22 levels and has been an integral part of the Indian National team ever since he made his debut under the tutelage of Stephen Constantine last year. The Tata Football Academy graduate first created waves in Indian footballing circles with AIFF developmental side Pailan Arrows and then went on to represent Goan giants Dempo SC in the I-League and FC Goa in the ISL.
Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte, widely known as Sena Ralte, started his career from the Esthar Academy and later went on to join Royal Wahingdoh promoting his team to the top division in 2013-14. Playing in the I-League, the left back developed a good rapport with Jackichand Singh and helped his team finish third in I-League 2014-15. Ralte donned the Chennaiyin FC hues in the 2nd season of the ISL, but will be seen at the Mumbai City FC camp this season.
Anwar Ali, a talented Indian Defender recognised for his dominance in aerial battles kicked off his senior career with Punjab Police, then switched to JCT where he made a bright start by bagging the Most Promising Player award in the Durand Cup 2006. His dominant performances in Dempo and Mohun Bagan got him selected into the national team where he was the rock at the center of the defence that propelled India on a winning spree in the late 2000’s.
Commenting on the selection, Indranil Das Blah, CEO, Mumbai City FC said, “We are extremely happy to welcome Anwar Ali, Sena Ralte, David Lalrinmuana and Pronay Halder to the squad. They bring in a mix of experience and youth which is essential to the team. Each one of them adds a certain value which will be key for the upcoming campaign.”
Meanwhile, Indian Super League champions Chennaiyin FC are delighted to announce that they have retained Marco Materazzi as their manager for the third season of the ISL.
Under the coaching of Italian World Cup winner Materazzi, Chennaiyin FC finished top of the league stage in the inaugural edition of the ISL and became the first-ever franchise to reach the semis, where they narrowly lost in the semi-finals to Kerala Blasters.
Chennaiyin retained Materazzi as manager in the second season also with the legendary former defender guiding the Chennai-based franchise to ISL glory. On their way to the title, Materazzi’s side created a new ISL record of winning five straight games before beating FC Goa 3-2 in a memorable final.
“From the day we signed Marco as our manager in the first season we have always believed in him and that faith has only been strengthened over the two campaigns. We are very happy to have retained him for the third season and this decision is in line with our club philosophy of continuity. We look forward to continued success and progress under his guidance in the upcoming ISL season,” said Chennaiyin FC owner Mrs Vita Dani.
“I am delighted to continue with Chennaiyin FC for another season and would like to thank the owners for their continued support. We were very consistent in the first season and narrowly missed out on reaching the final despite being the last franchise to join the league. Last year our only target was to be crowned champions and we achieved that by showing immense quality and character. This year the goal is again very simple and that is we want to keep the ISL trophy in Chennai. We are working very hard to build a very strong squad this year also and are going to give our very best to match last season’s success,” said Materazzi from Perugia, Italy.