Maibam Linthoingambi Devi (Goalkeeper)

Maibam Linthoingambi Devi (Goalkeeper)

This 20 year old youngster hailing from Thoubal (Manipur) had an uphill job at the national team camp - getting selected ahead of Aditi Chauhan, the former West Ham keeper who has long been seen as the number one custodian in the Blue Tigresses' roster.

But regardless, she toiled away at the practice sessions, keeping patience and biding her time. And before long, chances came her way, and she got her own time to shine in the national colours.

As the NWT went through its recent busy schedule, she was a constant part of the camp, always in the bench in the preparatory friendlies, Hero Gold Cup as well as the SAFF Women's Championship, getting a couple of chances along the way. But she rose to prominence at the critical Olympics Qualifiers second round matches.

So far she has played 5 matches for the senior national team, and there's a long road ahead for her there. But right now, she has the chance to progress her club career in a major way.

In the inaugural edition of IWL, when she had already made a name in the youth circuit playing for India U-19, she was a part of the Eastern Sporting Union squad, albeit mostly as the second keeper. The team went on to make history becoming the first ever IWL champions. The team reached the final next season as well, and Linthoingambi watched from the bench as Rising Student's Club beat them to claim the title.

This time, ESU are missing out on the IWL finan round for the first time, and for the first time Linthoingambi has joined a prominent club side where she can be seen as the first pick. This sets her up to play a prominent role as Gokulam Kerala FC aim to emerge as the chief rivals of defending champs Rising Student's Club, thereby further strengthening her claim for more intenational game time.