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	1	(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.

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.

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	15 November 2006	Ali Mohsen Stadium, Sana'a, Yemen	Yemen	1–0	1–2	2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification
2	17 August 2007	Ambedkar Stadium, Delhi, India	Cambodia	1–0	6–0	2007 Nehru Cup
3	29 August 2007	Ambedkar Stadium, Delhi, India	Syria	1–0	1–0	2007 Nehru Cup
4	24 May 2008	Fatorda Stadium, Goa, India	Chinese Taipei	1–0	3-0	Friendly
5	27 May 2008	Nehru Stadium, Chennai, India	Chinese Taipei	1–1	2–2	Friendly
6	27 May 2008	Nehru Stadium, Chennai, India	Chinese Taipei	2–2	2-2	Friendly
7	3 June 2008	Rasmee Dhandu Stadium, Malé, Maldives	Nepal	1–0	4–0	2008 SAFF Cup
8	5 June 2008	Rasmee Dhandu Stadium, Malé, Maldives	Pakistan	1–0	2–1	2008 SAFF Cup
9	8 September 2010	Ambedkar Stadium, Delhi, India	Thailand	1-1	1-2	Friendly

External links

• Interview in Mohun Bagan Official Website
• Pradeep's scorcher in the Nehru Cup 2007 final
• India winning Nehru Cup
• N. Pappachen Pradeep – FIFA competition record

Persondata
Name	Pradeep, Naduparampil Pappachen
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	28 April 1983
Place of birth	Idukki, India
Date of death
Place of death