Pappachen Pradeep

N. P. Pradeep
Personal information
Full name Naduparambil Pappachen Pradeep
Date of birth April 28, 1983 (1983-04-28) (age 28)
Place of birth Idukki, India
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current club Mohun Bagan
Number 22
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2002-2006 SBT 56 (8)
2006–2010 Mahindra United 56 (8)
2011 Viva Kerala 6 (4)
2011- Mohun Bagan 2 (0)
National team‡
2004- India 50 (10)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 June 2011.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22 September 2010

Naduparambil Pappachen Pradeep (born 28 April 1983) is an Indian footballer. A defender by trade, Pradeep hails from Thodupuzha, Idukki district in Kerala. He was also the captain of India's U23 team. Pradeep plays for Mohun Bagan of the I-League.

Contents

Career

Pradeep used to play as a striker during his youth career and represented his state, Kerala, at Under-17 and Under-21 levels. At the age of 17 he signed for SBT and soon was transformed into a midfielder. He represented India at various age group levels, including the Under-20 team that reached the quarterfinals of the 2002 AFC Under-20 Championships. Pradeep continued to impress at SBT, helping them to win four Kerala League titles.

His first call up to the senior team was during the 2005 SAFF Cup in Bangladesh, which India went on to win. In 2006, Pradeep made his first big move at club level as he joined National League champions Mahindra United. There Pradeep developed a quality of being very versatile as he also at times played as a fullback. The man from Kerala also captained the India Under-20 side that reached the last eight of the 2006 AFC Challenge Cup.

He won the IFA Shield and reached the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup with Mahindra and caught the eye of newly appointed India coach Bob Houghton. Initially he was used as a left back by the English tactician but by the start of the 2007 Nehru Cup, Pradeep was in the India squad as a goal scoring midfielder. India’s first goal in that competition was scored by the man from Kerala but his best moment came in the final.

Viva Kerala FC

For the 2010-11 I-League season Pradeep signed with Viva kerala and scored two goals so far in four games. He scored his third goal against Dempo for Viva on April 8, 2011.

Mohun Bagan AC

During the off season after the I-League 2010-11 season Pradeep signed for I-League club Mohun Bagan A.C.

International career

Pradeep is a regular on the Indian National Team. He plays as an attacking midfielder and has often scored scorching long rangers. He has played for India in the AFC Asia Cup 2007 qualifiers and scored a goal against Yemen. Pradeep has also represented India in the Vancouver Whitecaps Invitational in 2006 scoring a goal there as well. He played extremely well in India's exposure trip to Portugal in 2007 where they played Portuguese club sides.

His most memorable performance was perhaps in the Nehru Cup 2007 where he scored 2 stunning goals, including the goal in the finals versus Syria which won India the cup. Incidentally he opened and also closed the scoring in the Nehru Cup 2007.

Pradeep is remarked by critics as a player whose talents and skills can potentially surpass former Indian captain I. M. Vijayan.

Since then Pradeep has been a regular in the first eleven of the senior national team, helping them to win two more trophies. In the Asian Cup 2011 Pradeep played a vital defensive role for India. Despite his efforts India crashed out of the Asian Cup after three defeats in the group stage.

External links

1 Subrata • 2 M. Singh • 3 Manju • 4 Masih • 5 Anwar Ali • 6 Baldeep • 7 Pradeep • 8 Rennedy • 9 Yadav • 10 Miranda • 11 Chhetri • 12 Deepak • 13 G. Sadhu • 14 Gawli • 15 Baichung (c) • 16 Mehraj • 17 Surkumar • 18 Rafi • 19 Gourmangi • 20 Climax • 21 Subhasish • 22 Nabi • 23 Dias • Coach: Houghton
Mohun Bagan A.C. – current squad