New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS): Akash Mishra, one of the former lynchpins of Indian Arrows from last season, has been in the news recently for his on-field exploits with Hyderabad FC during the ongoing Indian Super League 2020-21.
The full-back recently rated Arrows assistant coach Mahesh Gawali, under whom he had trained till last season, as his "favourite defender", although he didn't see him play during his prime.
"Before joining Indian Arrows and seeing Mahesh-Sir, I heard a lot about him. But when I saw him during training sessions, I realised why he is being respected so much. When I joined the AIFF Academy, I did not have much idea about a defender's role. But, he taught me everything about defending. I have learnt A-B-C of defending from Mahesh-Sir," Akash said while praising his former coach on AIFF TV.
Gawali, who was adjudged to be the best defender of I-League for five consecutive seasons, is the deputy of Venkatesh Shanmugam at Indian Arrows.
"He was our coach but at the training sessions, his touches, control was better than every one of us. Something that we would often struggle with, he would be able to do with either foot - simply amazing," Mishra continued. "I have spoken to other defenders also but his outlook is completely different."
"What's more important is he shares his own experience. I have not seen him playing during his heydays but I have seen old match footages. Getting coached by him and playing with him at the training sessions is something which I'll cherish all my life," he added.
He further elaborated how Shanmugam played him at different positions which, in turn, helped him "improve game by game".
"Last season, Venky-sir played me at different positions like right-back and left-back. As the coach, he had confidence in me and I tried to repay it. If your coach thinks you will pull off playing at different positions, it builds your character and makes you improve game by game," the Hyderabad FC defender said.
"In a league, you get to rub shoulders with foreigners and you gain experience from that. Playing games week in, week out makes you a better player gradually," he added.