Deepak Mondal facts for kids
Mondal in 2011
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Deepak Kumar Mandal | ||
| Date of birth | 12 October 1979 | ||
| Place of birth | Noamundi, Jharkhand, India | ||
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
| Playing position | Centre-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1995–1998 | Tata FA | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1998–2000 | JCT Mills Phagwara | ||
| 2000–2005 | East Bengal | ||
| 2005–2006 | Mahindra United | ||
| 2006–2011 | Mohun Bagan | ||
| 2011–2014 | United | ||
| 2014 | Mumbai City | 12 | (0) |
| 2014–2016 | East Bengal | 25 | (0) |
| 2015 | → Kerala Blasters (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2016 | Southern Samity | ||
| 2016–17 | Ozone | ||
| 2018 | FCI | 1 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 2002 | India U23 | ||
| 1999–2011 | India | 47 | (0) |
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Deepak Kumar Mondal (born October 12, 1979) is a famous Indian former professional footballer. He was known for playing as a strong defender, specifically a centre-back. Deepak graduated from the Tata Football Academy and became one of India's best right-backs for over ten years. He played 47 matches for the Indian national team. Mondal also played for two of Kolkata's biggest football clubs, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. He spent five years at each club and even led them as captain. He also won the prestigious Arjuna Award.
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Deepak Kumar Mondal: India's Football Star
Deepak Mondal was born in Noamundi, Jharkhand. He started playing football when he was very young in his hometown. When he was sixteen, a coach from the Tata Football Academy, Ranjan Chowdhury, noticed his talent. The coach invited Deepak to join the academy, which is a special school for young football players. Mondal finished his training at the Tata Football Academy in 1998.
Early Life and Club Journey
After leaving the academy, Mondal joined a team called JCT Mills Phagwara. This team played in the National Football League, which was India's top football league at the time. He played for JCT for two seasons.
Rising to Fame at East Bengal
In 2000, Deepak moved to Kolkata and joined East Bengal. This is where he really started to shine and show his skills. His great performances at East Bengal even helped him get a spot on the Indian national team.
On December 30, 2002, Deepak Mondal was named the AIFF Player of the Year. This award is given to the best footballer in India. He earned this award because he played so well in big tournaments like the Asian Games and the ASEAN Club Championship for East Bengal. The president of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) at that time, Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, said that Mondal "infused a new confidence in the deep defense," meaning he made the team's defense much stronger.
While playing for East Bengal, Mondal helped his team win many important titles. They won the National Football League three times. They also won the Durand Cup twice and the Calcutta Football League four times. During his time at East Bengal, Mondal was part of a very strong defensive line with other great players like Surkumar Singh and Mahesh Gawli.
Success with Other Clubs
Deepak Mondal played for East Bengal until 2005. Then, he moved to Mumbai and joined a team called Mahindra United. With Mahindra United, he won another National Football League title. He also helped them win the Federation Cup.
After one season with Mahindra United, Mondal returned to Kolkata. This time, he signed with Mohun Bagan, which is a big rival of East Bengal. On December 22, 2008, Mondal helped Mohun Bagan win the Federation Cup. This was their only national title while he was with the club. They beat Dempo to win their thirteenth Federation Cup title, and it was Mondal's second time winning this cup. In September 2010, Deepak Mondal received the Arjuna Award, a very high honor for athletes in India.
After playing for India in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, Mondal left Mohun Bagan. On August 17, 2011, he signed with a new Kolkata team called Prayag United. He chose this team because it was based in Kolkata. Even when the club faced money problems, Mondal stayed with them until 2014. The team was later renamed simply United.
On May 9, 2014, it was announced that Mondal had rejoined East Bengal. While playing for East Bengal again, he also played for Mumbai City and Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League. After two more years with East Bengal, Mondal signed with Calcutta Football League team Southern Samity. Later, he played for Ozone FC in the DSK Cup.
Playing for India
Deepak Mondal played for the Indian national team 47 times. He helped India win the Nehru Cup twice, first in 2007 and then in 2009. He also played a key role in India winning the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup. This victory was very important because it allowed India to qualify for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, which was their first time in 27 years. Just like in his club teams, Mondal formed a strong defensive partnership with Mahesh Gawli for the national team.
Awards and Achievements
Deepak Mondal has won many awards and titles throughout his football career:
East Bengal
- IFA Shield: 2000
- ASEAN Club Championship: 2003
India
- AFC Challenge Cup: 2008
- SAFF Championship: 1999; runner-up: 2008
- Nehru Cup: 2007, 2009
- South Asian Games Bronze medal: 1999
India U23
- LG Cup: 2002
Individual
- AIFF Player of the Year: 2002
- He won the Nehru Cup twice: in 2007 and 2009. These tournaments were held in New Delhi, India. Teams like Syria, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, and Bangladesh also took part.
- Mondal was very important in helping team India win the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Challenge Cup in 2008. This win helped India qualify for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.
- Mondal was honored with the Arjuna Award in 2010.
See also
In Spanish: Deepak Mondal para niños
