Exclusive/ 'We'll Give You Reason To Smile': Indian Football Star Akash Mishra Makes FIFA WC Promise To Fans

The Indian Football Team has endured a very disappointing year in 2024, with a poor FIFA World Cup qualifiers which saw their FIFA World Cup 2026 dream shatter in controversial manner as they lost the last group game against Qatar over a dubious goal. But the damage for India's failed World Cup qualification campaign was done much before in the five games prior to the match itself.  

India were hammered by Qatar 3-0 in the earlier game. But it wasn't the two games against Qatar that cost India a spot into the next round of qualifiers. It was failing to win a single game against minnows Afghanistan and failing to beat Kuwait at home. Just two points out of potential nine points, and what was more concerning was the way India played in those games. With a lack of urgency, a lack of inspiration, and a lack of clarity. 

Fans were heartbroken, angry, frustrated with the National Team and there's a sense that the love and connect that the Blue Tigers were slowly making with the fans has dwindled a bit. Indian Football star and premier left back Akash Mishra who represents Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) in an exclusive chat with Republic World admitted the Blue Tigers let the nation down and failed in their objective. 

But Akash Mishra has vowed that him and his teammates are aware of their shortcomings and promise that they will make Indian football fans fall back in love with the Blue Tigers and give them reason to smile again. 

“At this moment I cannot say more. I can only say, of course, I know we have disappointed the fans. Our expectations were above that we could have done much better. And fans also, they know that we could have done better. We also know, coaches also know. But on behalf of everyone, even I am saying sorry,”  apologised Akash Mishra for National Team's qualiferis performance to Republic World.  

Akash Mishra missed second leg of qualifiers due to an ACL injury but he still feels responsible for India's shortcomings and made a promise to fans.   

“All the players, they feel deep inside that they have let the country down. But yes, be with us. Come to the stadium or support however you want. But we'll give you the reason to smile back and we'll fight for the nation,” said Akash Mishra to Republic World. 

Akash Mishra pleads fans to attend matches in stadiums 

While, Akash Mishra did apologise to the fans, he also believes that the relation between National Teams and fans is symbiotic. Mishra believes that more fans need to attend the football games live in the country to help the teams. 

“How you support Manchester United, how you support Manchester City and other Premier League teams… at least you have to give time to us also, to the National Team, to the clubs. Of course, when you'll give time, we'll do good. Because, see, we also don't want to play in front of an empty stadium. We also need supporters and like you know football, those who know football, I think supporters are very important…it's all about coming together and have patience,” Akash Mishra urges the fans.  

The Mumbai City star also feels that it is unfair that every time the topic of National Team comes there's always a question from fans and India about when India will play the World Cup. 

"I don't know if you see the European culture, it's different. Because if your team is playing even a friendly, there are supporters in the ground. But only when we are playing big, big games, then the big crowd is coming over.
But that's not what we need. is coming over but that's not what we need. We need even in our tough times when we are losing, when we are not winning games," says Akash Mishra. 

Akash Mishra further urges fans that they can come and criticise the players, fans can vent their frustrations but the viewership of Indian Football needs to improve. 

 "Of course, you can criticize us if we are not playing well but if you are there, even that criticism gives us that in next game, we have to do well. When there is no one to say anything sometimes that goes in the mind of the players," - Akash Mishra

Change in mindset is key behind changing India's football culture 

Akash Mishra's journey in football hasn't been a conventional one. Mishra hails from a small town in Uttar Pradesh, Balrampur and took up football at the age of 11 years old which by his own admission was pretty late compared to other ISL players. 

According to Mishra, when he was growing up, sports wasn't seen as a viable profession by his parents or anyone in the town but he's now witnessed a big change as more and more kids are playing football. Being one of the best footballers in the country, Mishra is aware of his responsibility and bought a minor stake in Techtro Lucknow FC and its academy. 

“If I go now at my home ground, I see even 50 or 60 small kids playing football. Before it was two, three kids playing football and everybody cricket. So yeah, things have changed. Time has changed,” said Akash. 

Akash Mishra reveals that his main aim is to make more and more people aware and provide young kids with facilities where they can grow their game. 

“We are trying to convince parents, We are giving scholarship to all the children who cannot afford it to come to stay there to train. Now we are in lucknow we are in Varanasi but I have to go in small places like Balrampur, Gonda, Rampur because I can see talent is there, all children are excited they want to play football but they don't have that place to to show their talents so yeah that's what we are trying,” reveals Akash Mishra.

Rehab from ACL injury  

Akash Mishra picked up an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury earlier in the year when playing for Mumbai City in the ISL semi final against FC Goa . Ever since then, the Islanders and Blue Tigers star has been side lined and will miss the rest of the year. 

While picking up the injury was tough and frustrating, Akash Mishra reveals that he didn't panic and lose motivation, “When I first heard that I have ACL, I was a little bit calm, to be honest. Because I have seen many players coming back from ACL injury. But the process which I am going through right now is very difficult. Every day you have to sit outside, you have to see the training, you go to the ground,but you cannot touch the ball, you cannot do anything what you want”. 

Mishra further added that ever since getting injured Mumbai City manager Petr Kratky has given him great support and motivation, “That sense of trust when it comes you feel that extra push. Okay, I have to do my rehab properly, I have to be back on the field…all those things plays a very big role”.

While, Akash Mishra did not give any timeline for his comeback he's assured that the medical team at the club has been working very hard and the recovery process is going very smoothly. 

 “I'll be back soon and I'll be back stronger,” - Akash Mishra

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'I Can't Explain' - Akash Mishra on what it was like winning the ISL 

The 22-year old left back recalled the day Mumbai City beat Mohun Bagan 3-1 in the final of ISL 2024. Even though Akash missed the final due to injury, he was elated with emotions and couldn't put it into words. 

“I can't explain why. Because, see, we lost the Shield in the same ground against the same opponent, against the same crowd also. So, yeah, it was really nice because, see, we were down also and then we came back in that game also. So, yeah, it was a very mix of emotions. I was up, of course. I was seeing all from the above, all the reaction of the fans and all those things. I am really happy that we won,” revealed Akash Mishra. 

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No team has ever defended an ISL title and Mumbai City FC can become the first side to do so, and Akash Mishra admits that the players are hungry to create history. 

“I think that's the only word which you use - the history. And when it comes to that everyone gets that extra pump, okay nobody has done it we want to do it,” revealed Akash Mishra. 

As Akash Mishra continues to recover from his ACL injury, Mumbai City fans and Indian Football fans will be eagerly waiting for the star player's return to action on the football pitch.