Play with your heart: Ashique Kuruniyan’s message to Indian teammates ahead of AFC Asian Cup clash against Australia

Indian winger Ashique Kuruniyan wants his teammates to play with their hearts in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup. Kuruniyan made his debut for the Blue Tigers back in 2018 and since then he has scored two goals for the national team.

Meanwhile, the Indian team will take on Australia in the AFC Asian Cup and they will have their work cut against tough opponents in the tournament.

Igor Stimac’s team is drawn with teams like Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria in Group B, and the tournament will take place in Qatar.

Meanwhile, Kuruniyan is currently out of action after he suffered an ACL injury in the Kings’ Cup in 2023 in Thailand while playing against Iraq.

“I suffered an ACL injury in my knee when we were playing in the King’s Cup in Thailand. I twisted my knee during the game against Iraq, and this happened. I did the surgery, and now my rehabilitation program is going on,” Kuruniyan stated in an interview given to Suyash Upadhyaya on Instagram.

“Normally, they say an ACL injury takes eight months to heal, but it depends on the person, like how the body responds to the surgery,” he added.

The 26-year-old from Malappuram was looking forward to playing in the AFC Asian Cup but an untimely injury ruled him out.

“I was excited to play in the AFC Asian Cup, but unexpected things do happen in football, and there is nothing we can do about it,” Kuruniyan said.

The Mohun Bagan Super Giant player revealed how India’s head coach Igor Stimac motivated him when he told him about his injury.

“I talked to the national team head coach Igor (Stimac) after this injury. He asked me about my return and by when I can start training on the pitch,” he recalled.

“I told him that I am not sure about the time frame, to which he said that he will be the happiest man when I return on the pitch,” he added.

India will take on Australia on 13th January in their opening Group B match of the AFC Asian Cup.