THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: August 26, 2015. India under-18 national team are trailing Thailand's Chonburi FC 4-1 at the IPE Stadium in Chonburi. And then Ashique Kuruniyan produced a moment of magic leaving even the opposition in a state of awe.
Though the exquisite left-footed strike in the 70th minute did little to alter the outcome of the match, it embodied all that is this promising 18-year-old striker from Patterkadavu village in Malappuram.
Closed down by two Thai defenders on the right, Ashique showed quick feet to escape their attention, sensed the goalkeeper had stepped off the line, moved the ball to his stronger left foot and arched the ball up and over the shot stopper -- all in a matter of seconds.
"As far as I remember, that is the best goal of my career so far," Ashique said. The youngster can be forgiven for his memory because goals are what Ashique has scored truckloads for Pune FC junior teams and national sides during the past couple of seasons.
Ashique began his journey in football while being a fifth standard student at MUA UP School, Panakkad. "My physical education teacher Rafeeque sir introduced me to football and a year later, I was admitted to AFC Vision India project at Kottappadi," he said.
He spent four years under former KSEB player Sajiruddeen before moving on to MSP HSS, Malappuram, for 11th and 12th standards, where he further polished his skills under coach Binoy P James.
During that time, his goalscoring exploits for Kerala at junior nationals in Ranchi where spotted by SAIL Football Academy. In demand, he first made his move to Delhi-based I-League second division side Garhwal FC before joining Pune FC -- all within a space of seven months.
"The facilities here have been world-class and training under Naushad Moosa has made me a better footballer," he said. "Anas Edathodika, who was the senior team captain, had helped me settle into the surroundings," added Ashique, who was part of the PFC side which finished runners-up in U-18 I-League in 2014-15.
The youngster also has had considerable international exposure touring with Team India in the 2016 AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers and FAM-Frenz Asia Champions Trophy 2015. And word has it that Ashique is a target for at least a few Indian Super League (ISL) clubs.
"I will graduate from Pune FC Academy in the next few weeks and I think the next step should be to play in the I-League and the ISL. There have been offers from a couple of clubs already, but nothing has been decided as of yet," Ashique said.