Indian footballers Soumya Guguloth, Jyoti Chauhan invited for trials at Croatia's Dinamo Zagreb

Both players will also attend the club's pre-season in the first week of August.

Indian international Soumya Guguloth and national-level player Jyoti Chauhan will travel to Croatia next month for a trial with the nation's first-division club ZNK Dinamo Zagreb. The pair have been invited to attend the side's pre-season and extended trials in the first week of August. The trial will last for around 15 days.

While Guguloth is a regular in the national senior women's team, Chauhan is yet to don the national colours. Needless to mention, both of them played an integral role in Gokulam Kerala’s dominating 2021/22 season in the Indian Women's League. The Malabarians Ladies successfully retained the IWL title.

How the opportunity came?

In the month of June, from 6th to 11th, Women in Sports had arranged for a trial. Dinamo Zagreb assistant coach Mia Medvedoski attended and same and the two players caught her eye. The statement from Women in Sports, as quoted by PTI, read, “Soumya and Jyoti have been invited by Croatia’s most famous club ZNK Dinamo Zagreb to join them for their pre-season and extended trial for assessment for a possible longer-term contract with the club.”

It is indeed a proud moment for Indian football and largely for women who are a part of the vertical. The motto of Women in Sport was to portray and execute an equal female representation in sports. Perhaps, this is a remarkable moment for them.

Which female players have played abroad?

The last few days have been probably the finest days for Indian women’s football. Before Soumya Guguloth and Jyoti Chauhan were invited for the trials at Dinamo Zagreb, two players made their way abroad. But their case was a bit different. Manisha Kalyan and Dangmei Grace have “signed” for Apollon Ladies FC and FC Nasaf, respectively.

Manisha Kalyan is currently the only Asian footballer in the Apollon Ladies camp. Although there are so many Asian countries ahead of India in women’s football, the Cyprus-based outfit chose Kalyan from India.

Grace, on the other hand, will move to Uzbekistan to play in the Women’s Super League. Players like Oinam Bembem Devi, Dalima Chhibber, Bala Devi and Aditi Chauhan have previously plied their trade for clubs abroad.