The focus is now on the Olympic qualifiers in Mandalay- Anju Tamang

The Indian Women's Football Team ace also revealed that her side's understanding and coordination has developed from before.

For the 23-year-old Anju from Birpara in West Bengal, the goal in the SAFF Championship final was the greatest moment of her career, which she informs has seen many ups and downs. During this long journey, what has been consistent right from the very start is her perseverance, and never-say-die attitude, making her rise to the Senior National Team an inspiring one.

“Anju is a very jolly person by nature and keeps the girls united, and happy,” the coach smiles. “But I tell you, she is very tough,” the coach maintains.

ONLY GIRL ON THE FIELD

"I am the youngest member in my family of five. Both my parents work as farmers. It is easy for us," Anju says in a chat with AIFF Media. After giving athletics a shot, she started playing football at a young age. Most days, or rather all days, she was the only girl on the pitch. But disapproval from her near and dear ones did not stop her from pursuing her passion.

"I started playing football seeing the boys in my locality. I learnt the basics from them. I enjoyed the sport a lot, and even when people tried to stop me from playing, I would sneak away,” she giggles.

“I have had to fight against all odds. But I am a born fighter.”

“I was the only girl in my school's team, and later, got a chance to play in the Kolkata league, and represent my state at the nationals," she informs. From there, Anju got her first big breakthrough thanks to the inaugural Indian Women's League in 2016, where she played for Bodyline in the qualifiers, scoring four goals in four games.

DETERMINED TO MAKE A MARK

A call up to the National Team camp followed but she was unable to make the cut. However, she refused to get bogged down, and once the next opportunity came, she grabbed it with both hands.

"I was extremely upset when I was not picked initially. But I was confident in my abilities. I knew I could play for the country, and trained harder. When the next call-up came, I left my college exams, and promised my parents that I will get selected," explained Anju.

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She made her debut at the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers in DPR Korea, scoring the winning goal for India in the Hero Gold Cup clash against Iran. At the Turkish Women's Cup, she suffered an injury but marked her return with the final goal at the SAFF Women's Championship that sealed the title for India.

RAPID STRIDES FORWARD

Coach Maymol Rocky hailed Anju's contribution to the team's cause, branding her an important figure on and off the pitch. "Anju is extremely quick, and one of the fittest players in the team. She has the ability to remain calm under pressure, and her impact in the SAFF final was immense,” the coach explained.

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The forward feels that the team has grown immensely greatly in the last few months and attributed it to the continuous run of matches played by them since December last year. "I think we have come a long way as a team," she said.

"Our understanding and coordination are much better than before. We have played so many games. By now, out of habit, we know who will make what kind of a run, and at what time, and most importantly when. The focus is now on the Olympic qualifiers in Mandalay.”