ISL 2020-21: Ashique Kuruniyan Posts Heartfelt Message After Freak Injury During Odisha FC vs Bengaluru FC

Bengaluru FC’s Ashique Kuruniyan suffered a freak injury on Thursday when he collided with Odisha FC‘s Jerry Mawihmingthanga during their Indian Super League (ISL) match at the GMC Stadium min Bambolim, Goa. Ashique and Jerry collided in the 48th minute after which images showed the full-back being transported to a hospital in an ambulance.

Bengaluru FC confirmed after the match that Ashique has suffered multiple fractures to his face. After the match, Sunil Chhetri while speaking to the broadcasters expressed his worry for the player and said, “I am keeping my fingers crossed. People who saw the injury say his cheekbone is gone. I am really worried for him.”

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However, on Friday, Ashique took to Twitter to post a heartfelt message that should somewhat ease the hearts of his fans. He said it was an unfortunate injury and that it was unintentional and not Jerry’s fault.

“Last night was another game of some beautiful football, however unfortunately in the heat of the game I have injured myself. It was a complete (sic) unintentional collision. Jerry is my brother and this is football and as players, this is something that can happen to anyone,” he said in his post.

He thanked his friends, family and fans for their messages and apologised for not replying individually. He asked them to continue praying for him.

“I am grateful for all the beautiful messages and love that I have received from all my friends, family and fans. Thank you for all the wishes and please do continue to pray for me. I’m sorry if I haven’t replied to everyone.”

Ashique then quoted Nemanja Vidic saying, “You can fix your nose, but if you let somebody score the goal your pride cannot be fixed.”

“Thank you once again for all the good wishes and I will come back soon stronger,” he finished his note.

Bengaluru FC conceded 23 minutes after the incident with Ashique, only for Cleiton Silva to score the winner for them in the 79th minute. After the match, BFC coach Carles Cuadrat said that Odisha FC’s equaliser was a lapse in concentration after Ashique’s injury. “We weren’t doing things right and players were in shock about Ashique. We were not getting the ball and losing it very past.”

At the post-match press conference, Cuadrat accepted that Ashique was the best player for Bengaluru FC after the first 6 games. “I think he (Ashique) was our best player at the moment of the season, after six games, and he was having a great season. Maybe it ill be a long time before we get him back.”

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