“Of course I am a part of it. I was there, but I didn’t play. It’s like the same for me,” said Akash Mishra, who missed the ISL final due to a foot injury sustained against FC Goa during the first leg of the semi-final. Although Akash watched the game from the stands, his heart was with the Mumbai City FC players on the pitch.
“If I could play, I definitely would. But there are some things in a player’s career that we cannot control. Of course, when you choose football, injuries come with it. But as a player of a team, I am very happy that our team won,” Akash told RevSportz after Mumbai City won the ISL Trophy.
The India defender has made Mumbai City his own since joining the club in June last year, and he couldn’t restrain himself from expressing his love for the club after the triumph over Mohun Bagan SG in the final. “This team is just so perfect. I love to be here, love to be in this team.”
His respect for the players and support staff has increased after their show of resilience throughout the season. Despite the exit of key players and injuries, Mumbai City ultimately clinched the title. “I have said this in previous interviews. With so many injuries, ups and downs, coach leaving, players leaving, maybe other teams wouldn’t have been able to cope up. But the way we came out of that was fantastic and that’s why I say that I love this team. I don’t have other words,” Akash said.
For more sports related information click here
Mumbai City FC staged an incredible comeback against FC Goa in the first leg of the semi-final. They were 0-2 down and scored thrice in added-on time to win 3-2. “I can’t explain those six minutes. I think I will use the same word again. We needed character and a strong mind till the end. All the players showed that. It was great. And we showed good character throughout the season.”
Winning the ISL Shield in front of a hostile crowd in Kolkata was Akash’s dream, but that didn’t happen. According to Akash, Mohun Bagan deserved the Shield, but in the final, Mumbai were better. “I think it’s all about mentality. Had we been mentally strong, we would have won the Shield. Mohun Bagan played a very good game that day, credit to them. We played a very good game today. We showed very good character on the field for 90 minutes,” Akash signed off.
Also Read: Indian flavour tastes good in Mumbai City ISL triumph