Scoring with grace

The 19-year-old Grace was unfortunate in not making it into the Indian team for Bangkok as she had left the Patiala training camp after just few days citing personal reasons.

Playing her first season in Mumbai for Fr Agnel, Grace impressed everybody opponent, administrators, coaches and spectators. Her speed and ball control were delightful.

“I found football quite interesting and started kicking the ball when I was eight,” said the diminutive striker.

Born in Majorda (Salcette), Grace caught the eye of the selectors in last year Nationals when she represented Goa.

“Coaches Jerome Dias and Gladwin(her elder brother who plays for Salcette) encouraged and pushed me,” said Grace, who likes the approach of Chabba Rani (Manipur) as a striker.

Speed and being feints are her forte. “Playing as a striker, I see how could contribute to the team’s win — by scoring a goal or creating one for fellow strikers,” explains the God-fearing player.

Grace’s energy is capable of igniting the rival territory with her sheer burst of speed.

She fancies the idea of playing with players with superior skills as it helps improve ones own skills.

Grace is convinced that the “only way to improve the Indian football (both men and women) is to bring in experts from abroad” and not players.