ISL 2014: Foreigners XI

The eight teams in the inaugral edition of the much-awaited ISL have splurged their cash on ten foreigners each, and it is the star value attached to some of these big names that is the primary allure of the tournament, which is slated to kick off on October 12. From October to December, the Indian football scene is to be filled with players of similar stature rubbing shoulders with their Indian counterparts.Some foreigners have been brought in to ‘raise the profile of the game in India’. But considering the money and publicity that the ISL has generated, they will be in no mood to roll over. There are also promising youngsters spotted from foreign countries. Such is the promise being seen in some quarters regarding the ISL that it is being touted to be a mini English Premier League in the future. Following is a team of 11 featuring the most accomplished foreigners to feature in this season, with some consideration made for recent form.

#1 Alexandros Tzorvas - NorthEast United

Tzorvas in action for Panathinaikos.

Age: 32
Club: NorthEast United
Previous Club: Apollon Smyrni

The team from the highlands have ensured that their goal is impermeable with the signing of this Greek goalkeeper, the first choice for his country at the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship. 

Tzorvas has also played in the Europa League for Panathinaikos, of which team’s youth academy he is a product. Because his role was confined to being an understudy to senior player Antonis Nikopolidis in Greece, he shifted his club base to the Serie A, with Palermo and Genoa. His shot-stopping powers were called upon by the Greek national set-up after the retirement of Nikopolidis. 

Tzorvas’ most sparkling performance was in the two-leg Greece vs Ukraine play-off match to decide who would travel to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup, where he kept out a prodding Ukranian attack for the whole 180 minutes.