From his exploits in Indian club football to Copa America, Mohun Bagan star Sony Norde is having an eventful time as he attained a new high by representing the Haiti national team for full 90 minutes in the world's third biggest football tournament.
Indian club football has rarely attracted top quality foreign players but there have been a talented few who have plied their trade in this country before shining in the international arena.
Haiti's left-winger Norde, who has been Mohun Bagan's premier player for last two seasons, achieved the distinction of playing full 90 minutes against Ecuador in a Copa America group league game which his team lost 0-4.
While Haiti had a forgettable Copa outing, conceding 12 goals in three games, Norde did earn praise for his performance against Ecuador on the day in New Jersey, USA.
Norde found mention in premier football website goal.Com's Matthew Galea's match analysis: "Sony Norde justifying his manager's selection with some dazzling runs that had the Ecuador defense on the back foot."
"The Haitians could not capitalise on Norde's play and found themselves further behind just over 10 minutes into the second half."
While Indian Super League (ISL) has attracted big stars but all of them have been well past their prime when they set foot on Indian soil.
Sony will be second in that list after Nigerian defensive midfielder Emeka Ezeugo, who came to India in 1986-87 to play for East Bengal and had his best days at the Mohammedan Sporting Club in 1989-90. In 1994, Emeka's finest hour came at the Fifa World Cup, where he got to play as a substitute.
After playing in India, Emeka played in European leagues for Danish club Lyngby and secobd team of Deportivo La Coruna.
