Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Steven Benedic Dias | ||
Date of birth | 25 December 1983 | ||
Place of birth | Mumbai, India | ||
Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
Playing position | Right midfielder | ||
Club information | |||
Current team
|
Mumbai FC | ||
Number | 23 | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2001–2003 | Air India | ||
2003–2010 | Mahindra United | ||
2011–2013 | Churchill Brothers | 25 | (4) |
2013 | Mumbai Tigers | 0 | (0) |
2014 | Rangdajied United | 10 | (1) |
2014 | Delhi Dynamos FC | 7 | (0) |
2015 | Bharat FC | 17 | (0) |
2016– | Mumbai FC | 17 | (2) |
National team | |||
2004–2011 | India | 51 | (7) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 30 May 2015 (UTC). |
Steven Benedic Dias (born 25 December 1983) is an Indian professional football player currently playing for Mumbai FC in the I-League. An attacking midfielder who plays on the wings, he is known for his long range shooting, crossing and passing. Dias made his debut for India in 2006 and had since become a mainstay in the Indian midfield. He is known as the "David Beckham of India".
Dias was playing for one of India's leading clubs Mahindra United (before the club withdrew from Indian football federation on 30 April 2010) and played in their NFL winning team, as well as in the AFC Cup.
He has since played for clubs in the I-League such as Churchill Brothers where he made 25 appearances and scored 4 goals. He has also played for Mumbai Tigers, Rangdajied United, Delhi Dynamos FC in the inaugural season of the ISL and Bharat FC where he made 17 appearances. He signed for Mumbai FC in 2016 after Bharat FC withdrew from the I-league.
Dias made his debut for India in 2004 and was a part of the team that unsuccessfully attempted to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2007. He played in India's first Nehru cup title in 2007, scoring twice in a 6–0 win over Cambodia. He usually takes corners for India and scored straight from one of in a 2–2 draw against Lebanon. He was a regular for the Indian National team and played an integral role in India's win in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup. He was a key player in India's win over Syria in the Nehru Cup of 2009. He helped India qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar. He had been chosen to be part of the 30 man squad preparing for the 2011 Asian Cup in Doha. His combination and understanding with striker, Sunil Chhetri, made them a very threatening duo.