Sanju upbeat about India’s chances in football tourney

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 5

As a relatively young Indian senior women’s football team gear up for the opening round of the 2020 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Yangon, midfielder Sanju Yadav sounds upbeat and says the fresh legs in the squad will add to the team’s quality. 

The Indian squad has been training in Mumbai under coach Maymol Rocky and play their first match against Nepal on November 8.  

“The camp has been very good so far and the atmosphere within the team is great. The new girls, who have been included in the squad for the first time, are also responding well and will add more quality to the side,” said Sanju. 

“We will give our all to qualify,” the 21-year-old added.

The clash against Nepal will be followed by matches against Bangladesh on November 11 and hosts Myanmar on November 13. All three matches will be held at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, which has a capacity of up to 32,000 spectators. 

“Our aim is to make it to the next round and for that we have to win our first two matches,” said the midfielder, who idolises Sunil Chhetri and Sasmita Malik. 

A total of 10 teams will move forward to the second round and if the Indian team is to progress, it will be a remarkable achievement for the women’s team, which has never crossed the first hurdle at the Olympic level in the past.

“I just want to give my best for my country,” said Sanju, who hails from Alakhpura village in Haryana.

Sanju has been a part of the senior national team ranks since 2016. She was a part of the Indian team that won the gold medal at the 2016 South Asian Games and was named the AIFF Emerging Player of the Year for 2016. 

“It has been a wonderful journey so far with the national team and wearing the Indian jersey is a feeling that is truly special,” she added. 

Her journey from Alakhpura’s fields to the national team has been nothing short of inspiration and in her own words, it has transformed her life. “A few years ago, I could not have even imagined that I would be representing my country one day,” she said. 

“Football has completely changed my life. It has helped me secure a job in the Railways, which has enabled me to take care of myself and also give back to my family, who sacrificed so much to make my dream come true,” stated the left-footed winger.

Squad  

• Goalkeepers: E Panthoi Chanu, Aditi Chauhan, M Linthoingambi Devi
• Defenders: L Ashalata Devi, Manisha Panna, Ng Sweety Devi, Jabamani Tudu, Dalima Chhibber, Pyari Xaxa 
• Midfielders: Sangita Basfore, Sanju Yadav, Margaret Devi, Ranjana Chanu, Indumathi Kathiresan 
• Forwards: Y Kamala Devi, Anju Tamang, N Ratanbala Devi, Ng Bala Devi, Dangmei Grace, R Sandhiya Ranganathan