Youngsters Working Hard

With several youngsters present in the Indian Women’s Team camp in Kochi, Kerala ahead of the AFC Asian Cup India 2022, winger Dangmei Grace believes that everyone’s working hard to make it to the final squad for the continental tournament.

Out of a total of 27 players present in the ongoing camp in Kochi, a total of 13 players are under the age of 25, something that has added a lot of energy, and impetus into all the players, who are working hard to make the final cut for the Asian Cup squad.

“There are plenty of youngsters in the squad, and they are all working hard to make the final cut for the Asian Cup. We even have several young players, who are also in the U-17s – Shilky (Devi), Astam (Oraon), Martina (Thokchom), and a few others, who have brought a lot of energy into the squad,” said Dangmei Grace.

One thing that comes with such a large number of youngsters in the squad is that the more experienced of the lot always pitch in to help them out in different aspects, both on and off the pitch.

“We are always helping each other, whether in practice, or off the pitch. As seniors, we guide the juniors in whatever mistakes they might make,” said the 25-year-old. “We also encourage and help them take up different responsibilities in various aspects.”
With potentially six World Cup 2023 spots up for grabs, in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, India will be looking to give their best shot at making it to the world stage.

“This is the right time to give our best, so we will not regret it later. For us, every game we will play will be a do-or-die situation. Every game is an opportunity for us,” she said. “In our group Iran, Chinese Taipei, and China are all tough teams, and we will approach the game one at a time.”