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

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

India were hammered by Qatar 3-0 in earlier game. But it wasn't two games against Qatar that cost India a spot into 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 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 National Team and re's a sense that love and connect that Blue Tigers were slowly making with fans has dwindled a bit. Indian Football star and premier left back Akash Mishra who represents Mumbai City FC in Indian Super League (ISL) in an exclusive chat with Republic World mitted Blue Tigers let nation down and failed in ir objective. 

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

“At this moment I cannot say more. I can only say, of course, I know we have disappointed fans. Our expectations were above that we could have done much better. And fans also, y 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 me a promise to fans.   

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

Akash Mishra ples fans to attend matches in stiums 

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

“How you support Manchester United, how you support Manchester City and or Premier League teams… at least you have to give time to us also, to National Team, to 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 stium. We also need supporters and like you know football, those who know football, I think supporters are very important…it's all about coming toger and have patience,” Akash Mishra urges fans.  

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

"I don't know if you see European culture, it's different. Because if your team is playing even a friendly, re are supporters in ground. But only when we are playing big, big games, n 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 furr urges fans that y can come and criticise players, fans can vent ir frustrations but viewership of Indian Football needs to improve. 

 "Of course, you can criticize us if we are not playing well but if you are re, even that criticism gives us that in next game, we have to do well. When re is no one to say anything sometimes that goes in mind of 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 Presh, Balrampur and took up football at age of 11 years old which by his own mission was pretty late compared to or ISL players. 

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

“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 y can grow ir game. 

“We are trying to convince parents, We are giving scholarship to all children who cannot afford it to come to stay re 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 re, all children are excited y want to play football but y don't have that place to to show ir 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 year when playing for Mumbai City in ISL semi final against FC Goa . Ever since n, Islanders and Blue Tigers star has been side lined and will miss rest of year. 

While picking up 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 process which I am going through right now is very difficult. Every day you have to sit outside, you have to see training, you go to ground,but you cannot touch ball, you cannot do anything what you want”. 

Mishra furr ded 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 field…all those things plays a very big role”.

While, Akash Mishra did not give any timeline for his comeback he's assured that medical team at club has been working very hard and 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 ISL 

22-year old left back recalled day Mumbai City beat Mohun Bagan 3-1 in final of ISL 2024. Even though Akash missed 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 Shield in same ground against same opponent, against same crowd also. So, yeah, it was really nice because, see, we were down also and n 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 above, all reaction of 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 first side to do so, and Akash Mishra mits that players are hungry to create history. 

“I think that's only word which you use - 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 star player's return to action on football pitch.