ISL 2021-22: SC East Bengal, Kerala Blasters announce captains

By
Triyasha Chatterjee
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Goa: With less than a week remaining from the eighth edition of the Indian Super League to commence. SC East Bengal announced custodian Arindam Bhattacharya was announced the captain of the squad, while a very experienced Tomislav Mrcela was announced the vice-captain.  While on the same day Kerala Blasters FC announced Jessel Carneiro as the skipper.

“I am happy to announce Arindam as captain of the team and Tomislav as vice-captain. They are both exceptional leaders on the pitch and also off it. Arindam has been there in Indian football for a long time and knows what it takes to lead a team like SC East Bengal. Tomi too has vast experience and he is a natural leader. All the players in the squad respect them and I believe they can get the best out of the team,” said head coach Jose Manuel Diaz.

Golden Glove winner Arindam joined the red and gold brigade from ATK Mohun Bagan, helping the Mariners reach the final last season where they lost to Mumbai City FC.

The 32-year old custodian kept 10 clean sheets and made 59 saves, adding gloss to his reputation as one of the finest shot-stoppers in Indian football.
The ISL and I-League winner has time and again shown his leadership qualities, wearing the armband for ATKMB the last term with distinction.

“It’s a huge honour for me and especially for my family because everyone back home is an East Bengal supporter. I am looking forward to living up to everyone’s expectations and performing to my fullest. Though I stand in goal during the games, I promise to lead from the front and make the fans from all over the world proud of this bunch,” Arindam said.

“I feel honoured. I just arrived at this club. To get that honour to help to lead the team is a nice thing. It gives me confidence. The only thing I can say is that I will give my best on the field and I will do my best to help to lead the team. Arin(dam) is the captain and I am the vice-captain, but we have a lot of leaders in the team. We have good characters and I am just one of them,” said Mrcela.

Kerala Blasters announced to be led by Jessel Carneiro for the 2021-22 season. Carneiro was the vice-captain of the team last season. The left-back has made 34 appearances for the outfit, In that time he made over 125 clearances and 47 interceptions while receiving only two yellow cards establishing himself as a rock-solid cadet in the defense.

On the other hand, Odisha announced Victor Mongil, Hector Rodas, and Vinit Rai as the members of the Captain squad, with Mongil being the one to lead recently.

However, FC Goa is still set to be led by Eduardo ‘Edu Bedia’ while Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri, will be leading Bengaluru FC as usual.

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