Chennai
However, with the inclusion of Dhanpal Ganesh last year, Chennai had boasted of a local player. However, his sojourn had to end abruptly after a leg injury that forced him out of the league and the national team.
Chennaiyin signed Mohanraj from former champions Atletico de Kolkata this year and along with Dhanpal, the duo was optimistic and honoured to carry the city’s hopes on their shoulders.
Mohanraj said he was elated to finally play for a Chennai club. “I have been playing professional football for almost a decade now and my dream of playing for a club in Chennai has come true. I would like to thank Marco Materazzi for believing in me,” he said.
Mohanraj said it was an emotional moment to walk out at the Nehru Stadium representing Chennai. “As a sports hostel trainees, we (Dhanpal and Mohanraj) stayed inside the stadium. We didn’t get an opportunity to play big games here for the last ten years. It was an emotional moment to go out there and play with the Chennaiyin jersey,” the left-back added.
NALLAPPAN MOHANRAJ
DHANPAL GANESH
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