The Indian footballer started and scored in the match between CD Roda and Villarreal C (2-3)
One match, one goal. The Young Indian player Ashique Kuruniyan, nicknamed ‘Kuru’, made his debut in style yesterday for the Yellows Academy. The footballer, on loan from FC Pune City in the Indian Super League (ISL), played his first match yesterday evening in a friendly between CD Roda and the Villarreal C team at the PAMESA Training Ground (Ciutat Esportiva PAMESA Cerámica), that finished in a 2-3 win for Carlos Pérez Salvachúa’s side.
Kuru started the match and scored to make it 1-1, firing home the rebound after the Villarreal C team goalkeeper saved his first shot. Kuru played most of the match and put in a brilliant debut performance before being substituted in the 72nd minute.
This is the first time that an Indian player has been brought in by a Spanish club. Ashique Kuruniyan is 19 years old and usually plays as a wide midfielder, but can also play up front. The youngster was born in Kerala and has already caused quite a stir in the football world, as he played for the Indian U19 national team in the AFC U19 Championships in Palestine. Prior to that, Ashique also represented India U18s in the FAM-Frenz Asia Champions Trophy, in which he scored a brilliant goal that thrust him into the spotlight.
