Deepak Mondal

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Deepak Kumar Mandal

| image = Deepak mondal.jpg

| caption = Mondal in 2011

| full_name = Deepak Kumar Mandal

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|10|12|df=y}}

| birth_place = Noamundi, Jharkhand, India

| height = 1.73 m

| position = Centre-back

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = 1995–1998

| youthclubs1 = Tata FA

| years1 = 1998–2000

| clubs1 = JCT Mills Phagwara

| caps1 =

| goals1 =

| years2 = 2000–2005

| clubs2 = East Bengal

| caps2 =

| goals2 =

| years3 = 2005–2006

| clubs3 = Mahindra United

| caps3 =

| goals3 =

| years4 = 2006–2011

| clubs4 = Mohun Bagan

| caps4 =

| goals4 =

| years5 = 2011–2014

| clubs5 = United

| caps5 =

| goals5 =

| years6 = 2014

| clubs6 = Mumbai City

| caps6 = 12

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2014–2016

| clubs7 = East Bengal

| caps7 = 25

| goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2015

| clubs8 = → Kerala Blasters (loan)

| caps8 = 2

| goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2016

| clubs9 = Southern Samity

| caps9 =

| goals9 =

| years10 = 2016–17

| clubs10 = Ozone

| caps10 =

| goals10 =

| years11 = 2018

| clubs11 = FCI

| caps11 = 1

| goals11 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2002

| nationalteam1 = India U23

| nationalcaps1 =

| nationalgoals1 =

| nationalyears2 = 1999–2011

| nationalteam2 = India

| nationalcaps2 = 47

| nationalgoals2 = 0

}}

Deepak Kumar Mondal (born 12 October 1979) is an Indian former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. A graduate of the Tata Football Academy, An Arjuna Award winner, he was one of India's most prominent right backs for over a decade, earning 47 caps with the India national team. Mondal also played with both the Kolkata giants, East Bengal{{Cite web|last=Sengupta|first=Somnath|title=Tactical Evolution Of Indian Football: Part Four – Modern Era (1999—2011)|url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/tactical-evolution-of-indian-football-part-four-modern-era/|location=Kolkata|date=13 July 2011|access-date=11 October 2022|website=thehardtackle.com|publisher=The Hard Tackle|language=en-US|archive-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918041621/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/tactical-evolution-of-indian-football-part-four-modern-era/}} and Mohun Bagan, spending five years at each club, captaining both of them.

Club career

Born in Noamundi, Jharkhand, Mondal began playing football from a young age in his district. He was spotted by Tata Football Academy coach, Ranjan Chowdhury, at the age of sixteen who invited Mondal to join the academy.{{cite news|last1=Bhose|first1=Baidurjo|title=Footballer Deepak Mondal finally gets the Arjuna|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/footballer-deepak-mondal-finally-gets-the-arjuna-/1/112430.html|access-date=9 July 2016|work=India Today|date=13 September 2010|archive-date=18 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818114824/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/footballer-deepak-mondal-finally-gets-the-arjuna-/1/112430.html|url-status=live}} Mondol graduated from the Tata Football Academy in 1998.{{cite news|last1=Chaudhuri|first1=Arunava|title=TFA felicitates Deepak Mondal|url=http://www.sportskeeda.com/general-sports/tfa-felicitates-deepak-mondal|access-date=9 July 2016|work=SportsKeeda|date=10 October 2010|archive-date=21 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921084721/http://www.sportskeeda.com/general-sports/tfa-felicitates-deepak-mondal|url-status=live}} After graduating from the academy, Mondal signed with National Football League side, JCT Mills Phagwara.{{cite news|title=Mohun Bagan has it easy|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2000/03/05/stories/0705044b.htm|access-date=9 July 2016|work=The Hindu|date=5 March 2000}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He stayed at the club for two seasons before joining Kolkata side, East Bengal. It was at East Bengal that Mondal began to impress and even earn himself caps for India. On 30 December 2002, after impressing the All India Football Federation and national team head coach, Stephen Constantine, with his performances in the Asian Games and the ASEAN Club Championship for East Bengal, Mondal was named the AIFF Player of the Year.{{cite news|title=Mondal chosen 'Player of the year'|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2002/12/31/stories/2002123101011900.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030910103853/http://www.thehindu.com/2002/12/31/stories/2002123101011900.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 September 2003|access-date=9 July 2016|work=The Hindu|date=30 December 2002}} On winning the award, AIFF president at the time, Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, said that Mondal "infused a new confidence in the deep defense". Overall, while with East Bengal, Mondal won the National Football League title three times, two Durand Cup's, and four Calcutta Football League titles.{{cite web|title=Roll of Honour|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=5618|website=All India Football Federation|access-date=9 July 2016|archive-date=21 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921033126/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=5618|url-status=live}} While at East Bengal, Mondal was part of a strong backline with Surkumar Singh and Mahesh Gawli.

Mondal stayed with East Bengal until 2005, when he signed for Mumbai side Mahindra United.{{cite web|title=Transfers 2005|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/transfers2005.html|website=IndianFootball|access-date=9 July 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000410/http://www.indianfootball.de/transfers2005.html|url-status=live}} While with Mahindra United Mondal won another NFL title. He also won a Federation Cup while with the side.{{cite news|last1=Suryanarayan|first1=SR|title=Brazilian key ignites Mahindra engine|url=http://www.sportstaronnet.com/tss2846/stories/20051112003805800.htm|access-date=9 July 2016|work=Sports Taro Net|date=1 November 2005}} After a season with Mahindra United, Mondal moved back to Kolkata to sign with East Bengal rivals, Mohun Bagan. On 22 December 2008, Mondal helped Mohun Bagan win their only national title while with the club, the Federation Cup. The club defeated Dempo to win their thirteenth Federation Cup title and Mondal's second.{{cite news|title=Mohun Bagan bags Federation Cup|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/mohun-bagan-bags-federation-cup/article1399802.ece|access-date=9 July 2016|work=The Hindu|date=22 December 2008|archive-date=17 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717154243/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/Mohun-Bagan-bags-Federation-Cup/article15365799.ece|url-status=live}} In September 2010, Mondal was awarded the Arjuna Award.

After representing India at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, Mondal saw out his contract with Mohun Bagan and was released by the club. On 17 August 2011 it was announced that Mondal had signed with newly rebranded Kolkata side, Prayag United, with them being based in Kolkata a main reason for him signing.{{cite news|last1=Ghoshal|first1=Amoy|title=Prayag United Sports Club Sign Experienced Defender Deepak Mandal|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2011/08/17/2624358/i-league-prayag-united-sports-club-sign-experienced-defender|access-date=9 July 2016|work=Goal.com|date=17 August 2011|archive-date=10 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010231640/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2011/08/17/2624358/i-league-prayag-united-sports-club-sign-experienced-defender|url-status=live}} Despite the club going through financial troubles, Mondal remained with the side, soon renamed to just United, till 2014. On 9 May 2014 it was announced Mondal had re-signed with East Bengal.{{cite news|last1=Mitra|first1=Atanu|title=Deepak Mandal parts ways with United, joins East Bengal|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2014/05/09/4806551/deepak-mandal-parts-ways-with-united-joins-east-bengal|access-date=9 July 2016|work=Goal.com|date=9 May 2014|archive-date=10 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010231859/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2014/05/09/4806551/deepak-mandal-parts-ways-with-united-joins-east-bengal|url-status=live}} While with East Bengal, Mondal also represented Mumbai City and Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League.{{cite news|last1=Jitendran|first1=Nikhil|title=Deepak Mandal joins Southern Samity for Calcutta Football League|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2644/kolkata-league/2016/07/09/25459532/kolkata-football-deepak-mandal-joins-southern-samity-for|access-date=9 July 2016|work=Goal.com|date=9 July 2016|archive-date=10 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010232122/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2644/kolkata-league/2016/07/09/25459532/kolkata-football-deepak-mandal-joins-southern-samity-for|url-status=live}}

After two years with East Bengal again, Mondal signed for Calcutta Football League side Southern Samity. After the season concluded, Mondal signed with Ozone FC for the DSK Cup.{{cite news|title=Former India international Deepak Mondal joins Ozone, team to play in DSK Cup|url=http://www.gcsstars.com/2016/11/former-india-international-deepak.html|access-date=8 November 2016|work=GC Stars|date=8 November 2016|archive-date=9 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109021743/http://www.gcsstars.com/2016/11/former-india-international-deepak.html|url-status=live}}

International career

Mondal represented India 47 times. He won two Nehru Cup's with India, first in 2007 and then 2009. He also helped India win the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup and thus qualify for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, their first in 27 years.{{cite news|last1=Shreekumar|first1=SS|title=Deepak Kumar Mondal: In defence of honest effort|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/article204503.ece|access-date=9 July 2016|work=New Indian Express|date=15 August 2010|archive-date=16 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816235610/http://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/article204503.ece|url-status=dead}} Like at club level, Mondal thrived under his partnership with Mahesh Gawli with India.

Honours

East Bengal

IFA Shield: 2000
ASEAN Club Championship: 2003{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/field/968097/making-a-mark-in-asia-east-bengals-2003-asean-cup-win-a-defining-moment-for-indian-club-football|title=Making a mark in Asia: East Bengal's 2003 Asean Cup win – a defining moment for Indian club football|website=Scroll.in|date=26 July 2020 |access-date=25 September 2021|archive-date=27 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127192359/https://amp.scroll.in/field/968097/making-a-mark-in-asia-east-bengals-2003-asean-cup-win-a-defining-moment-for-indian-club-football|url-status=live}}

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{{Cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesh/hcmccup.html#02 |title=Ho Chi Minh City Cups |website=RSSSF |accessdate=19 September 2022 }}

Individual

AIFF Player of the Year: 2002{{cite web |title=Jeje Lalpekhlua is 2016 AIFF Player of the Year |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=7722 |website=the-aiff.com |access-date=24 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227132308/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=7722 |archive-date=27 December 2016 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=All India Football Federation Awards: Sunil Chhetri and Bala Devi win Player of the Year Trophy |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/all-india-football-federation-awards-sunil-chhetri-and-bala-devi-win-player-of-the-year-trophy-240310-2015-02-14 |access-date=26 September 2020 |newspaper=India Today |date=14 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926234124/https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/all-india-football-federation-awards-sunil-chhetri-and-bala-devi-win-player-of-the-year-trophy-240310-2015-02-14 |archive-date=26 September 2020 |url-status=live }}
He twice won the Nehru Cup: in 2007 and 2009, held in New Delhi, India where Syria, India, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, and Bangladesh were the participating countries.
Mondal was instrumental in leading team India to win the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Challenge Cup, held in the year 2008 hosted by India. This success enabled team India to qualify for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.
Mondal was honored with the Arjuna Award in the year 2010.{{cite web|url=http://yas.nic.in/yasroot/awards/arjuna.htm#Football|title=LIST OF ARJUNA AWARD WINNERS - Football {{!}} Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225221945/http://yas.nic.in/yasroot/awards/arjuna.htm#Football|archive-date=25 December 2007|access-date=25 December 2007|website=yas.nic.in|publisher=Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports}}{{cite web|title=List of Arjuna Awardees (1961–2018)|url=https://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/LIST%20OF%20ARJUNA%20AWARDEES.docx%2061%20-%2017_0_0.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (India)|access-date=12 September 2020|archive-date=18 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718084523/https://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/LIST%20OF%20ARJUNA%20AWARDEES.docx%2061%20-%2017_0_0.pdf}}{{cite web|title=National Award winning Footballers|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/nationalawards.html|website=indianfootball.de|publisher=IndianFootball|first=Arunava|last=Chaudhuri|date=2000|access-date=25 January 2019|archive-date=1 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001123849/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/nationalawards.html|url-status=dead}}