Karishma Shirvoikar during a training session.
MARGAO
Indian women's football team forward Karishma P Shirvoikar is set to leverage her invaluable experience gained from her stint with Palmos CF in Spain as she prepares for upcoming international friendlies.
Reflecting on her time abroad, Sirvoikar said, "I got to learn a lot. Playing against some of the biggest names, it was a great experience."
The Indian senior women's team is slated to play two friendly matches against Uzbekistan on May 31 and June 4 in Tashkent, within the FIFA women's international window. Head coach Langam Chaoba Devi recently unveiled a list of 30 probables, who will assemble for the national team camp commencing on May 16 in Hyderabad.
The preparatory camp, spanning two weeks, will take place at Sreenidi Deccan FC's Deccan Arena in Hyderabad, with the team departing for Uzbekistan on May 29. Sirvoikar is currently part of the Indian preparatory camp.
Having commenced her football journey on the beaches, playing with boys for fun seven years ago, Karishma has garnered attention for her talent and prowess.
"It's a great honour to be part of the Indian football team camp. We are determined to showcase our best performance and make our nation proud on the international stage," stated Shirvoikar.
The 22-year-old striker from Odxel village aims to support and motivate her team members, emphasizing teamwork, dedication, and a fighting spirit to leave a mark in every match.
Karishma's journey includes stints with Panjim Footballers in 2019, PVC Parra, Gokulam Kerala Women's Football Team, Mumbai Knights, and Kick Start. She also represented the India Under-17 team, a pivotal moment in her career.
Despite encountering various coaching styles, Shirvoikar remained a standout player for her teams. Reflecting on her experiences, she remarked, "I have played under a few coaches and everyone had a different style, a different philosophy. There was a lot of learning and unlearning. But overall, I had a really good time."
