How can one goal change your life?
Ask Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Ask Vladmir Smicer. Ask Sushant Mathew.
Sushant became an instant hero when he scored a 94th-minute belter in front of his home fans to put the Kerala Blasters 3-0 up in the first leg of the semi-finals against Chennaiyin FC in the first edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2014. With Kerala already up 2-0, Sushant exchanged passes with Iain Hume, darted towards the Chennaiyin half, cut inside two defenders, and unleashed a 40-yard drive into the top corner.
That goal proved to be crucial as Kerala went on to reach the finals and made Sushant a rockstar overnight.
"I can never forget that goal. That goal gave me a lot of mileage in life. It gave me a good position in life, a celebrity status," Sushant told ESPN. "Players like Bhaichung Bhutia, I.M. Vijayan, Jo Paul Ancheri they called to congratulate me. Because of that, the people who are connected with the football world know me very well. It just makes me feel proud."
Kerala find themselves in a similar position in the league this year. They play an in-form Delhi Dynamos at home in the first-leg on Sunday, just like they faced a strong Chennaiyin team - one that topped the table that year - in 2014.
Chennaiyin scored three in the second leg of that semi-final up until full-time before a Stephen Pearson goal in extra time put Kerala in the final. Perhaps, things would have been slightly different had Sushant not thought of attempting that incredible goal.
"Because of that goal our team came out in full confidence in the second leg. If I hadn't scored that goal, our team would have been out of the tournament. So many called me and told me about the importance of that goal; "Sushant your goal was the game changer" were everybody's sentiments. If I hadn't attempted that, we would have lost against Chennai. It still is a wonderful feeling."
Advertising deals came by, TV interviews were set up, front pages of Kerala's leading dailies bore his name and overnight, Sushant's stock soared.
"I did a very nice ad for Eastern tea. It was such a nice moment. After I.M Vijayan, to do an advertisement like that was amazing. All this is a sign of achieving something in life. I turn back and look at my life and I have no regrets."
The midfielder, now 35, is out of contract with FC Pune City, the team Sushant played for in 2015. An injury set him back and after a few months of rehabilitation, he is fit again. Without any professional football in a year, Sushant is now geared up to watch his former team from the stands in Kochi on Sunday. With a seat in the VIP section, he expects his former teammates to reach the final. But with a sigh, he says, "I wish I was there with the team today."
"I really miss playing in front of my fans. That was the best moment of my life. I really enjoyed my time there. I miss the team and the ground. But I am happy with whatever I did.
"Sometimes before I go to sleep, I watch the video all over again. That feeling is indescribable. Even though I am watching a goal scored by myself, it still gives me the chills. Sometimes my friends send me the video on WhatsApp to remind me again. Many ask me for a picture with them, and then they tell me that I have scored ISL's best goal of all time. It's been 3 years, but that goal is still there in the minds of the Kerala crowd. I consider that as a big blessing."