Manisha Kalyan becomes the first Indian woman footballer against Brazil

New Delhi, Nov 26th : .

Manisha Kalyan (19 years old), a winger for Senior Womens National Team became the first Indian to score against any Senior National Brazil team.

India lost 1-6 to Brazil in Fridays opening game of the Women’s International football tournament.However, Manisha Kalyan, who scored the first goal in the eighth minute for the team registered her name in the recordsAfter receiving a cushioned header by Pyari Xaxa near the halfway line, Manisha fired a left-footer into Brazils bottom corner.

It was the moment India would cherish for a long while.Manisha said, "It was a dream come real for me to play against Brazil, and to score against them wasnt the icing on it," as she was photographed with Brazils legendary midfielder Formiga Mota after the match.

She was then congratulated by all those present at the Arena da Amazonia "It was an incredible experience to be on the same pitch with her (Formiga).Manisha said, "I hope we can learn from the experience and do better next time.

" "We knew it would be tough against a team with Brazils level of quality.We forgot all about the pressure as soon as we got on the field.

This is what we should do in the next matches.We need to play with an open mind.

Manisha, like many female footballers around the world, has had a difficult journey.She was born in Muggowal and struggled to make it through her youth "I have been playing football since I was 13 years old.I switched from athletics to football when my coach Brahmjii-sir asked.Manisha said that football was a great sport because it requires teamwork.

She also recalls how she fell in love with the game.Although not everyone in her village supported Manishas decision, her parents were there to support her "Many people in my village didnt want me to continue playing football.

They were not comfortable with a girl playing football.She explained that her parents stood by me and provided all the support I needed.

Manisha was a player in the first BRICS U-17 Womens Football Cup, South Africa "Yes, we had also played Brazil in that tournament, but it was a different game.Many of us were unfamiliar with this level of football.Tonights match was memorable for us.Manisha said that while we conceded a few goals at the end, we still held our own throughout the match.This is a very important lesson for us going into the AFC Asian Cup." inj/bs #Manisha #Kalyan #Indian #footballer #Brazil #Delhi.