Coach’s trust goes a long way in building a player’s career, says Akash Mishra

In the last nine matches the Indian senior men’s team have played, Akash Mishra has not been on the pitch for only 12 minutes.
Such has been his rise over the past few seasons that the 21-year-old has become India’s best option at left-back. Head coach Igor Stimac and his trust in him has played a big role in his ascent, according to Mishra.
“I think it’s a huge factor and very important for a player, especially a youngster like me, in his career when the coach trusts him to get the job done. And when that happens, even an average player becomes a great one because that gives him confidence, and he keeps pushing himself to improve every day,” says Mishra.
Born in Balrampur in Uttar Pradesh, Mishra debuted as a 19-year-old for the Blue Tigers in March 2021 in a 1-1 draw against Oman in a friendly. He is still the youngest player in the current camp in Bhubaneswar for the Hero Intercontinental Cup and the subsequent SAFF Championship in Bengaluru. With what Mishra has achieved at a young age, it’s easy to get carried away, but he is well aware that there’s a long way to go in his career. And for his career to be fruitful, his feet have to be on the ground.
“I feel proud to be a part of the national team at a young age. I hope that my parents and my coaches are proud as well and happy to see me succeed. But at the moment, the only thing on my mind is to keep improving myself, and because I’m young, I get to learn a lot from the senior players on and off the field. It’s also important to know how to carry yourself off the pitch as a professional footballer,” Mishra says.
“In the national camp, you have the best players from every club in the country, and each player has some qualities which others don’t. There are a lot of aspects of the game I still have to grasp, and if I keep learning something or the other from every player, it will help me in my game. My sole focus right now is improving myself in every training session,” he adds.
If there’s something that only a few can do better than Mishra in India, it’s making marauding runs down the left wing. Ask him what his favourite job is as a left-back, and he’ll say, “Overlaps. I love making overlaps and joining the team in attack. A full-back always has to multi-task, and yes, as a defender, defending is my priority, but I’m always thrilled to contribute in the attacking third and help my team score goals.”
Mishra won the Hero ISL title with Hyderabad FC in 2021-22 and also won the Hero Tri-Nation in Imphal earlier this year. The youngster is now keen to add to his tally a first SAFF Championship title as he couldn’t participate in the 2021 edition which India won in Maldives.
“Unfortunately, I missed out last time as I had to go with the U-23s at the same time. However, I’m very excited to finally be in the SAFF squad this time, and the best part is that we are hosting it. We are motivated to win it, and I’m sure that our fans in Bengaluru will cheer us in large numbers,” he says.
But first and foremost, Mishra and the Blue Tigers’ concern is the Hero Intercontinental Cup in Bhubaneswar. As part of the Indian Arrows setup until 2020, he has spent a lot of time in the Odisha capital and is delighted to be back.”I’ve been here in Bhubaneswar during my Arrows days, and back then as well, I noticed that the training facilities were great here. Now I’m back here after three years, and things look even better. There are more pitches, better gym equipment and all the other stuff that’s helping us get ready for the tournament,” he shares.
Also Read:
Trust your training and discard pressure, Amarjit Singh Kiyam’s advice to Blue Colts
MFA / MFA Elite Corporate League
Mumbai Corporate League Begins: Milton Fernando & Joe Miranda Grace the Opener
The Mumbai Corporate League 2024-25 season commenced on Monday with Football Icon Milton Fernando and MYJ FC owner Joe Miranda gracing the occasion The clash saw last season’s Mumbai Super…
MYJ Blue Cubs League 2025: Nurturing the Future Stars of Football
MYJ Blue Cubs League 2025: Nurturing the Future Stars of Football
Mumbai City FC held to their seventh draw of the season after a goalless stalemate against East Bengal FC
Mumbai City FC were held to a goalless draw against the East Bengal FC at the Mumbai Football Arena in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 tonight. This was East…
Dream Sports Championship: RFYC, Brothers SA, MSSA and Mumbai City FC kick off campaign with wins
The second season of Dream Sports Championship kicked off with the Mumbai Leg seeing 6 teams split in two groups of 3 teams each RFYC, Brothers SA record commanding victories…
Mumbai Super League: MSP, Mumbai Ultras book final round slot
Nihal Colaco’s injury time brace helped MSP edge past Charkop while in other game, Ultras breezed past ROQs-DFA courtesy strike from Joyson, Shreyas and co. In group A, with one…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
Mumbai Premier League Championship Group Kicks Off with Mumbay FC, Hope United Victory
The Mumbai Premier League Championship Group stage began with a statement victory for Mumbay FC while Hope United secured a close 1-0 win New entrant Mumbay FC secured a commanding…
Jamshedpur FC displace FC Goa at second spot with a clinical 3-1 victory
Cirkovic and Siverio strikers help Jamshedpur FC defeat FC Goa by 3-1 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 tonight. Khalid Jamil became the…
Dreams Sports Championship: RFYC to lock horns with Brothers SA in regional final
Reliance Foundation Young Champs, Brothers Sports Association setup final clash in Mumbai leg of Dreams Sports Championship Mumbai, February 05, 2025: The Reliance Foundation Young Champs continued their brilliant run…
ISL matches happening in Shillong will have a positive impact on Meghalaya’s footballing culture: Mumbai City FC skipper Lallianzuala Chhangte
Mumbai City FC skipper Lallianzuala Chhangte is all set and geared up to feature in the Indian Super League (ISL)’s debut in Meghalaya with NorthEast United FC hosting the Islanders…
Mohun Bagan Super Giant qualify for ISL 2024-25 playoffs with 3-0 triumph against Punjab FC
Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated Punjab FC by 3-0 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season tonight. The Mariners became the…
Corporate Football / MFA Elite Corporate League / Trials
Bank of India announces open trial for Mumbai Corporate League Campaign
Bank of India is set to make its mark in the Mumbai Corporate League and is looking for exceptional football talent to bolster its squad. The trial is scheduled for…
India Khelo Football Workshop returns to Mumbai for its 4th Season
The Indian Khelo Football (IKF) Workshop returns to Mumbai this September, bringing with it an exceptional platform for aspiring footballers to showcase their skills and seize opportunities that could transform…
MFA / Mumbai Super League / Trials
Somaiya FC announces trials for the upcoming 2024-25 Season
Somaiya FC, having secured a commendable 5th position in the MFA Super Division last season, has announced open trials as they gear up for upcoming season. The team, known for…
VR Academy to conduct trials for 2024-25 Season
Mumbai based VR Academy has announced trials for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The club is looking for talented young players to join our esteemed academy and participate in various competitive…
MH ORANJE FC U-17 Trials for the Upcoming Season
With a proud legacy of nurturing talent and achieving excellence, Maharashtra Oranje FC has recently made waves with appearances in I-League 2, securing a remarkable runner-up position in the fiercely…
Football School of India announce trials for Young Talents
Football School of India (FSI) has announced trials for young football enthusiasts in the upcoming week of June. A golden opportunity for aspiring players to showcase their talents and potentially…
Mumbai Super League club Charkop FC to conduct open trials for upcoming Season
Calling all aspiring football stars! Charkop FC, a MFA super division club based in Charkop, Kandivali, is set to conduct Open Trials for the upcoming season. About Charkop FC: In…
Academy / Football Academy / Trials
Mumbai 42 Football Academy to conduct trials for Youth players
Newly established Mumbai 42 Football Academy will be conducting trials for young footballers in the upcoming week.
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…