Football Monk comes up with a new series, GEN Z: The Future Monks of Indian Football. Here we present the 11 top talents across the country who we believe will be the future stars of Indian Football. The 5th feature on our list is Akash Mishra a young and versatile defender who can play across various positions at the back.
Early Days
Born in Uttar Pradesh, Akash started off his youth career at the U Football Academy in Germany. He spent three years offshores before making his way back to India. Upon his arrival, AIFF scouted him in for their developmental side Indian Arrows. Akash made his debut in the Indian top tiers in 2018-19. When he came on as a substitute in the I-League match between Indian Arrows and Neroca FC.
This season Mishra grabbed 7 appearances as he started to show good shape and consistency in the latter part of the tournament. But the best performance was yet to come next season in the 2019-20 I-League. Mishra bagged as much as 16 appearances for the all-Indian developmental side with his performances making frequent headlines.
Apart from his defensive skills, Mishra impressed the critics with his leadership skills. The teenager reflected a fine blend of calm composed yet offensive nature on the pitch, a nature quite rare in his age. Thus this impressive run was enough to strike a couple of top ISL side’s sight. Finally, Mishra penned in a three-year-long contract with ISL side Hyderabad FC in the following summer window. And this was just the start of the dream run that Akash achieved in the year.
Debut stint in ISL
Akash joined Hyderabad FC along with two of his Arrows mates Rohit Danu and Lalbiakhlua Jongte. Initially, their game time availability was doubted considering the past experiences of Arrows players in the ISL sides. But things started to be proved wrong when Mishra bagged his spot in the Nizam’s starting lineup in their very first match.
From their one, the teenaged defender went on to make history as one of the youngest players in the ISL to play every minute of the season for his side. As the league progressed Mishra continued to earn HFC coach Manuel Marquez confidence. The former’s calm composed and fearless approach, discovered at a young age earned him brownies here too. As Mishra was adjudged the “emerging player of the match” times along with the “man of the match” award times last season.
Akash earned his senior national debut during the FIFA Friendlies at UAE. Thereafter he was also included in the squad for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in UAE.
Mishra’s Strength
Akash’s biggest strength is his flashy pace along the flanks. The side back provides a good speed with the ball making things tough for the opposition during a counterattack. His ball control is another quality that he brings up with him. Naturally, an offensive wing-back Akash gameplay also asserts his capabilities to recover the ball from cagey traps.
Dashboard via The Away End
Apart from his defensive duties Mishra also takes a crucial role in his team’s offensive move. The lad can easily perforate the defense as he created as many as 6 key chances all through the season. Of which one came as his assists and two were saved. Manuel Marquez preferred a 4-4-2 formation with Hyderabad FC and he used Aakash in the role of a utility left-back who can serve both offensive and defensive departments. And Mishra perfectly played the role with his evolving caliber.
Areas to improve
Though Akash has done a brilliant job in his debut season he needs to further work on some of his capabilities to bring the best in him. Mishra needs to learn better to close gaps in a better and faster way so that the chances of risk becomes minimum. He needs to further work on his physique to overcome major injuries in his long upcoming career path. Misra also needs to be better in his distribution capabilities so that he can lead his team from the back in a safer way.
Ratings
Pace 9.5
Shooting 6.0
Passing 6.5
Dribbling 8.0
Defending 9.0
Physique 7.8
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