Shilji Shaji to miss AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers with illness

Shilji Shaji was a vital cog in PV Priya's India side.

India Under 17 women’s team is likely to miss the service of their attacking midfielder Shilji Shaji for the upcoming AFC Women’s U17 Asian Cup Qualifier Round 1 campaign. The 16-year-old Shilji was admitted to hospital yesterday late night in Indore and has been diagnosed for viral pneumonia.

The team has been camping in Indore since last three weeks, and is scheduled to leave for Bhiskek, capital city of Kyrgyz Republic tomorrow, 21 April where they play the hosts on April 26 and Myanmar on April 28 in their Group F fixture.

It is learnt that the national football body, All India Football Federation (AIFF) medical team are in constant touch with the Team Doctor and hospital Doctors to monitor Shilji’s health. AIFF is likely to announce a replacement for Shilji Shaji later in the day, today.

Hailing from a small town Kakkayam, Kozhikode on the outskirts of Western Ghat, Shilji had an impressive journey cementing her place in the India U17 team in a short span of 3 months. Scouted through an AIFF’s 27 state regional trail early January this year, Shilji joined the India U17 camp under coach PV Priya. Shilji had earlier featured for Gokulam Kerala FC in the inaugural edition of Khelo India U17 Girls League.

In two friendly games against Jordan in February, Shilji Shaji scored four goals apiece in India U17’s 7-0 and 6-0 victory. Later in March, the prolific player was awarded highest goal scorer with eight goals in the SAFF U17 Women’s Championship, Dhaka, featuring Russia, Bhutan, Nepal, and India other than the host country.

(The 16 year old Shilji will now be flown into Delhi by the national federation to undergo further tests, and monitor her recovery under the supervision of AIFF’s medical team. Nishima Kumari has been added to the squad as a replacement.)

Last Updated 7:55 PM IST