Indian women's football team chief coach Thomas Dennerby on Monday, September 27, announced the 23-member Indian women’s squad for the upcoming friendlies in the UAE and Bahrain.
Central Defender Michel Castanha is the only Goan named in the Indian women’s squad.
Currently, the Indian team has set up camp in Jamshedpur and will travel to New Delhi on Wednesday, September 29, from where they will travel to the UAE for two friendly matches against the United Arab Emirates National Team (October 2) and the Tunisia National Team (October 4).
The squad will then head to Bahrain, to play two friendlies against the Bahrain National Team (October 10) and the Chinese Taipei National Team (October 13).
Club legend
Michel Castanha plays for Gokulam Kerala in the All India Football Federation's Women's Football League. Under her leadership, the team won the tournament in 2020 and were runners-up in 2019.
She has previously played in the Goa Football Association's women's league. At the state level, she has played for Salgaonkar FC, Panaji Footballers and Churchill Brothers.
Experienced campaigner
At 28, Castanha is one of the most experienced players in the Indian women's team. She made her international debut in 2018 and ever since has been a regular member of the team.
She was also an integral part of the team which won the SAFF Trophy and the South Asian Games in 2019.
She has also represented India in the Asian Women's Cup Qualifiers, the Cotif Cup in Spain and the Olympic Qualifiers.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Aditi Chauhan, Maibam Linthoingambi Devi, Shreya Hooda.
Defenders : Dalima Chhibber, Sweety Devi, Ritu Rani, Ashalata Devi, Ranjana Chanu, Michel Castanha, Manisa Panna, Astam Oraon.
Midfielders: Sangita Basfore, Indumathi Kathiresan, Sanju, Martina Thokchom.
Forwards : Dangmei Grace, Anju Tamang, Sandhiya Ranganathan, Soumya Guguloth, Manisha Kalyan, Sumati Kumari, Pyari Xaxa, Renu.