By Debayan Mukherjee,
AIFF Media Team

MANAMA: Under the bar, The Indian Senior Women’s National Team has relatively three new faces.

With both the first and second choice Goalkeeper unavailable for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup (Qualifiers) which kicks-off on May 21in Palestine, Goalkeeper Coach Chitra Gangadharan is working overtime.

“There is always a first time, for everyone,” Gangadharan maintains. “You cannot give excuses. You just can’t cry over what you don’t have,” she added.

Roshni Debi, Tikina Samal and Usha Rani Das are the three glovewomen who will be travelling to the AFC Asian Cup (Qualifiers) in Palestine.

Gangadharan believes that the hard work in the one-month Camp in Pune and the two Friendlies against Bahrain will surely pay off. “I have been working really hard with the trio. We have played Roshni in the two matches against Bahrain and she has done reasonably well,” she reflected. “You always need to be patient. Goalkeeping is a thankless job.”

The Pune Camp was a boon for the three custodians, she added.

“I could get a good look at their shape. I could work on their weaknesses. When you’re preparing a new set of Goalkeepers for a Tournament of the magnitude of AFC Qualifiers, the more time you get, the better. Matches make you confident.”

“I feel more confident now after playing the two International Friendlies. It is very important to play and feel the pulse. These were Friendlies but I kept the bigger picture in mind. I know the likes of Myanmar and (Chinese) Taipei will come hard at us, but I am confident of doing well and making the most of the opportunity.” Roshni said.

Tikina added: “We are working very hard with our Coach. We are high on confidence after the victories against Bahrain in the International Friendlies. It’s a learning curve for me.”