Crivellaro fails to make Chennaiyin’s ISL squad

CHENNAI: Brazilian creative midfielder Rafael Crivellaro did not find a place in Chennaiyin FC’s Indian Super League squad that was announced on Friday.

Crivellaro, who is contracted to the club, has been out of competitive action since December 2020 due to injuries and fitness issues. The 33-year-old was not part of the Durand Cup 2022 contingent as head coach Thomas Brdaric opted for only five overseas players in the squad, all of whom have been registered for ISL 2022-23.

Dutch attacking midfielder Nasser El Khayati, whose arrival was announced by Chennaiyin on Friday, will be the sixth and final foreign player in the roster. El Khayati has played most of his football in Eredivisie, the top-tier league in the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, India international Anirudh Thapa, who was in fine form in the Durand Cup with two goals and three assists in five appearances, will continue to lead the side. Mohammed Rafique, Alexander Romario Jesuraj, Sourav Das and Vincy Barretto had missed the Durand Cup with injuries, but the quartet has been named in the ISL squad.

Chennaiyin will begin its ISL campaign against heavyweight ATK Mohun Bagan in Kolkata on October 10. The two-time ISL champion will face southern rival Bengaluru FC in its first home match of the season here on October 14.

ISL SQUAD (INDIANS UNLESS MENTIONED):Goalkeepers: Debjit Majumder, Samik Mitra, Devansh Dabas and Lovepreet SinghDefenders: Narayan Das, Aakash Sangwan, Vafa Hakhamaneshi (Iran), Fallou Diagne (Senegal), Gurmukh Singh, Md. Sajid Dhot, Ajith Kumar, Monotosh Chakladar and Md. AqibMidfielders: Nasser El Khayati (Netherlands), Jiteshwor Singh, Anirudh Thapa (c), Edwin Sydney Vanspaul, Julius Duker (Germany), Sajal Bag, Chris White, Mohammed Rafique, Sourav Das, Suhail Pasha and Jockson Dhas Forwards: Ninthoi Meetei, Vincy Barretto, Rahim Ali, Alexander Romario Jesuraj, Petar Sliskovic (Croatia), Kwame Karikari (Ghana), K Prasanth, Senthamil, Jobby Justin, Gulab Singh and Mohamed Liyaakath