Indian Super League crosses five crores in the domestic player draft

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posted on 9 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Mumbai City FC were in prolific form at the Indian Super League's second season domestic player draft snapping up seven players from the pool of 112 available for selection.

Mumbai: Mumbai City FC were in prolific form at the Hero Indian Super League's second season domestic player draft snapping up seven players from the pool of 112 available for selection. FC Goa however decided to exercise their choice only on two occasions picking two forwards to augment their strike force.

North East United FC, Delhi Dynamos FC and Pune City FC had six picks each, Chennaiyin FC were next with five and champions Atletico de Kolkata and Kerala Blasters FC settled for four each. In all, 40 players were signed, sealed and delivered to their new owners.

Although midfielders were most in demand with 18 getting recruited by the eight franchises, defenders were also not ignored with 11 being picked. However it was the eight goalkeepers who were selected who sparked interest with Mumbai City and ATK picking two each. Each team can recruit a maximum of 13 domestic players (not including those picked at the auction) and must have at least two development players in their squad.

Among the prominent movers were Cavin Lobo to Kerala Blasters and Sushanth Mathew to Pune City. Atletico de Kolkata added two defenders, the upcoming Augustine Fernandes and Lalchawnkima in addition to two goalkeepers, Amrinder Singh and Kunzang Bhutia, both development players).

North East United's picks were predictably all from the region while Kerala also had a good outing by roping in defensive midfielders Shankar Sampingraj and Peter Carvalho and international forward C K Vineeth. All teams however had a fair outing as they sought to add balance to their Indian contingent, which had already been picked for the most part before the draft.

There was an air of tension throughout the auction, but in the end all the teams seemed satisfied with their new players.

The much anticipated second season of the Indian Super League (ISL) will kick off on the 3rd of October with its opening match to be played between Chennaiyin FC and Athletico de Kolkata, winners of the first season of the ISL at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai.