Ashutosh Metha's 12-year slogging was worth the wait

Not a once-in-a-generation talent, nor that he sprung into the limelight as an overnight success, but Ashutosh Mehta’s story has escalated gradually through the years – the journey so far is one to cherish for the footballer and enjoyable to go through as a neutral. 

Mumbai FC were always the team to resist big shots and gain enough points to shy away from the relegation zone. At the heart of everything they achieved was Ashutosh Mehta, standing tall in the defense with a never-say-die attitude, applying all the inputs given by his favourite ‘Khalid Bhai in the training sessions. In spite of his consistent performance, it was only in the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League that he was uplifted when FC Pune City brought him on loan for the season.

Who doesn’t love underdog stories? Ashutosh Mehta, one of the focal figures in the triumph, was the talk of the town once again after Aizawl FC's historic I-League win. A club from Kolkata had already begun their plot to rope in the side-back.

Agreed that it was a demotion in terms of quality of leagues, but still, no less than a challenge for the Mumbai-based footballer to re-establish himself and steer Bagan – a side not convinced to settle for less than a trophy – to their fifth national league title. Taken care by yet another watchful tactician – Kibu Vicuna, the footballer patched up his flaws and renewed himself to produce yet another set of magical performances last season, guiding his new employers to a victory in the first and only season at the century-old club. Then again, the ‘green and maroon’ brigade merged with ISL outfits ATK and all the players from the I-League winning squad were without a contract.

Luck does play a small but significant part sometimes. Incidentally, Ashutosh Mehta’s long-time mentor was serving as the assistant coach of Northeast United in the ISL and taking care of Indian recruitments. There was no way he could have missed out on the sensational football display his pupil offered in the ‘deemed’ second tier of Indian football. There was no option but to summon Ashutosh Mehta and get involved in the scheme of things.

11 games later when Ashutosh Mehta got a national call-up after Northeast United FC made it to the play-offs in the ISL; part of the credit definitely went to Khalid Jamil. A 12-year struggle for earning the blue jersey had finally paid-off, with the footballer dialling up his mother no sooner than the news broke.

“It’s a feeling of pride to wear the National Team kit and jersey. I was so happy when I saw my name on the list of 35 players who were called up to the National Team camp. Immediately, the first person I called was my mother. My whole family is really happy and proud!” said Ashutosh Mehta.