Monalisha Devi was not always a football player. She started her sports trip with handball, but she gave up after a lack of recognition. Archery was on her list the next, but her father advised her to record football and put on the gloves of a keeper.
Cut until 10 August 2025, video clips of the teenager from Imphal, a goal line saved Save flooded various social media platforms, perhaps the recognition that she did not receive in a different sport years ago.
That Save played an important role in the qualification of India for the AFC Under-20 Women’s Asian Cup next year-a performance that was achieved after two decades.
After playing a scoreless draw against Indonesia, the young Tigresses opened their account in the qualifications with Elan after beating Turkmenistan 7-0. Then a decision -maker with Myanmar in beckoned. The competition was not good in any extent; It was gritty and ugly. Ultimately, an unconventional goal and a disciplined defensive performance helped India to overcome his opponent 1-0.
A group that is willing to learn and a no-nonsense coach worked together and provided a successful qualifying campaign for India.
The determining moments
The second half against Myanmar saw the Indian players defended a slender lead of one goal with their backs to the wall. The host, who rode the raw enthusiasm of the home crowd, continued to knock on the goal of India.
In the 80th minute, replacement tired pwint phyu brought it to the goal up close, but was unlucky to rattle upright. However, the rolling ball was about to cross the line, but a jumping Monalisha put him out of danger.
«My self -confidence rose after making that salvation. The home fans were pretty loud and I couldn’t hear my own teammates on the field. Everything I thought was not to admit at the time,» the ‘keeper Van Imphal, told Sportstar.
But before Monalisha had to take action, Pooja – the attacker of Haryana’s Alakhpura – brought the visitor ahead.
Just before the half -hour figure, Neha hit a cross of the left flank, so that the goalkeeper of Myanmar Thu Zar Aung was out of her line and tries to beat it away. However, she missed the ball completely and Pooja was in the right place at the right time to push the ball with her hull in the back of the net.
«That moment is one that cannot be easily forgotten,» the attacker began to remember. «I did not expect that that would crawl into the goal. That is how these moments are. I first thought the ball had gone out of the game, but then I saw Neha go for the ball and do the cross. Then I also went into the box.»
Grow like a team
During the last U-20 Women’s Asian Cup qualifications, India missed the qualification through the Barrest Margins. Shubhangi Singh, the current captain of the side, remembers the pain all too well.
«We also played in the qualifications of the previous edition, but we missed it because of one target difference. That was a lot to take. Then I got an ACL injury, so last year I was in rehabilitation,» said Shubhangi.
But in this set of qualifications, the defender from Gujarat had no reservations about the opportunities of her team to reach the tournament.
«I am not overwhelmed and I think we were not shocked as a team after qualifying because I expected we would make it,» she said casually.
Pooja (L) and Shubhangi Singh of the women’s football team of India celebrate after scoring a goal. | Photocredit: Aiff Media
Pooja (L) and Shubhangi Singh of the women’s football team of India celebrate after scoring a goal. | Photocredit: Aiff Media
«Prior to the Myanmar match, we got to see videos with the sound to prepare for the crowd during the game. We were mentally prepared; a draw was not an option for us. We couldn’t even communicate with each other because the crowd was so loud,» she added.
Before the qualifications, the Indian team camped in Bengaluru and even played two friendly games against Uzbekistan (1-1 and 4-1 victories). The first time the group was together, albeit for just a week or so because of the Indian Women’s League, the Pink Ladies Youth Cup ran for (2-1 victory vs. Jordan, 1-0 win vs. Hong Kong, 0-3 loss versus Russia) in February.
«As a team we have grown. Against Uzbekistan, whose senior team is ranked higher than ours, a draw and a victory were good. All thanks to the coach who never told us to play defensively, but always put pressure on the opponent,» said Shubhangi.
The coach with a plan
Joakim Alexandersson from Sweden took the task of coaching the U-20 and U-17 Indian ladies teams last December. And in his first big assignment he was successful. Yet he thought there was still room for improvement for this age group of players in the country.
«At home, girls start to train in an earlier age and work a lot at the basis. That is missing here. Hopefully in the future more academies of FIFA and Indian clubs will come for girls so that they can improve in these areas,» said Alexanderon in his assessment of Indian football in these few months.
Joakim Alexandersson from Sweden took the task of coaching the U-20 and U-17 Indian ladies teams last December. | Photocredit: Aiff Media
Joakim Alexandersson from Sweden took the task of coaching the U-20 and U-17 Indian ladies teams last December. | Photocredit: Aiff Media
The 49-year-old was honest in his analysis of the Myanmar competition. «I think we were a bit too scared to play football. We couldn’t keep the ball in the last 30 minutes. That was a bit frustrating, but other than that, I think we had a good tournament together. The mentality and the mind that the girls showed were very strong.»
Alexanderon described himself as a coach who always wants to have a good relationship with his players. He wants them to have faith in him, not being afraid. Although the Swede may be quite noisy on the touchline, he made sure that it is all part of being in the game. And his players know that.
The U-20 Women’s Asian Cup has been removed for eight months and the coach has plans to prepare for this, but he decided to keep them for himself. Fitness and brave are in one-on-one situations to improve, but for that Alexanderon has the Saff U-17 women’s championship to look forward to, that starts on August 20, prior to the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifications in October.
