I-League 2012: Prayag aiming at top-3 finish

Mumbai: Prayag United SC is targeting a top-three finish in the upcoming 2012-13 I-League season and has roped in top players like goalkeeper Subrata Paul, Nigerian striker Ranty Martins, Costa Rican World Cupper Carlos Hernandez Valverde and defender Gourmangi Singh.

The Kolkata-based club, currently ranked seventh nationally, is also aiming a big win for the season - the Asian Football Confederation Cup - a media release from the club said on Tuesday. The club has also introduced its exclusive Prayag United fan club with 800 amateur footballers across eight regions in West Bengal. "The fan base is part of a unique franchisee network whereby football clubs who are part of the system will get support for building infrastructure, promote and develop community for the sport, and provision of professional exposure to new talents," the release said. "Our focussed efforts this year was building a team par excellence and am hopeful, our endeavours will convert into big win - the Asian Football Confederation Cup," said Prayag Group chairman Basudeb Bagchi. The team has retained Sanjoy Sen as its head coach for the second successive season and has brought on board American international goalkeeper coach Per Henrikson, who comes with over a two decade-long experience as goalkeeper coach and has trained the national outfits of Philippines and Pakistan, the release added. PTI