Naorem Mahesh Singh, a talented winger from Manipur, displayed his expressive nature on the pitch during the 2023 SAFF Championship match against Nepal where he scored his first international goal for India. However, off the field, Mahesh prefers to keep his emotions hidden and tends to shy away from public displays of emotion.
Scoring a goal for one's country is a moment of immense satisfaction for any player, and the first goal holds a special significance. After finding the back of the net against Nepal, Mahesh briefly celebrated, acknowledging his captain Sunil Chhetri.
But beyond that fleeting moment, only a select few are privy to Mahesh's true emotions. Despite receiving numerous requests to share his feelings from the media, Mahesh responded with a shy smile as he hurried towards the team bus, away from the cameras and attention.
During the match against Nepal, where the Indian team struggled to create opportunities in the first half, Mahesh brought a burst of energy down the left flank. Making his first start in the SAFF Championships, the 24-year-old winger made a significant impact with his electrifying runs and dribbles. While the end product was sometimes lacking, Mahesh shared the burden with his teammates throughout the first half.
Mahesh's contribution to the match extended beyond his goal in the 70th minute. Nine minutes earlier, he provided a brilliant assist to Chhetri, setting up his 91st international goal. The sequence began with a delightful combination play between Mahesh and Sahal, a pattern that had occurred earlier in the match without success.
Sahal played a delicate touch to release Mahesh down the left flank, and the winger advanced behind the Nepal defense. Spotting Chhetri's presence, Mahesh delivered a precise cross upon the skipper's request. When Mahesh released the ball, Chhetri was positioned behind the Nepal backline, but the cross was perfectly weighted. By the time the ball reached the six-yard box, Chhetri was there to tap it into the bottom-right corner. Celebrating his goal, Chhetri pointed to Mahesh as the winger rushed to embrace his captain.
Shortly after, it was Mahesh's turn to shine. India orchestrated another effective attacking move, with Sahal releasing Chhetri inside the box. With composure, Chhetri unleashed a shot that was saved by Kiran Limbu but rebounded off the post. For a moment, it seemed like Nepal would escape unharmed, but Mahesh was there to bundle the ball into the net with his head.
India emerged victorious against Nepal, securing their place in the semifinals. Overall, it was a memorable night for Mahesh and the Indian team.
Mahesh's journey has been remarkable, progressing from his youth days at Shillong Lajong to earning a place in the first team, experiencing varying spells at Kerala Blasters and Sudeva Delhi, and now establishing himself as a key player in the East Bengal attack. Fans of East Bengal recognize his value, as his contributions extend beyond goals and assist. There is a growing demand among supporters for the club to extend Mahesh's contract, evident in their frequent use of the hashtag "#extendmahesh" on social media.
Having transitioned from the club level to the national stage, Mahesh has come a long way. It took him eight appearances to score his first goal for the Blue Tigers, and it seems that he is only just beginning. The time for Mahesh to shine has arrived, placing him in the center stage under the spotlight.
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