BENGALURU: Young Maitreyi Palasamudram has spearheaded Karnataka's challenge at the Women's National Football Championship here, emerging the top scorer with eight goals in four matches to help the hosts stay on course for a berth in the final round.
Making her debut for the state, Maitreyi - who has completed her ninth grade at Harvest International school, Bengaluru - proved more than a handful to the rival defenders, showing great skill and guile in and around the box.
First up was Gujarat and the Karnataka No. 10 beat the goalkeeper six times. She followed it up scoring a goal each against Assam and Bihar as Karnataka won their first three matches before losing to Manipur on Thursday to finish runners-up in Group VI. "We have a great atmosphere in the dressing room. We are super chilled," the prolific scorer told TOI about Karnataka's matches.
Besides Maitreyi, the Karnataka squad had two more 15-year-olds - Tanvi Nair (DPS North, Bengaluru) and Ruthu Sreenandan (The Valley School KFI, Bengaluru) - among the substitutes.
Inspired by her brother Amogh - who played for various clubs before opting for a BTech course - Maitreyi, whose twin sister Aditi is an upcoming gymnast, has now signed for Kickstart FC and hopes she won't be underage to compete in the Indian Women's League.
Daughter of IT professionals Pavan Kumar PV and Chaitra, Maitreyi is also popular among her schoolmates who follow her progress, watching the matches online.
"I was excited to don the state colours as I nurtured hopes about it for a long time. Last year, I was in the camp but couldn't make it to the team as I didn't get my vaccinations. This time, I was nervous in the beginning but it vanished as I started playing. I was also keen to get the No. 10 jersey but was not sure. When I got it, I was really happy," Maitreyi, who is a big fan of the legendary No. 10 Lionel Messi, said.
Real Madrid's Eden Hazard, Bayern Munich's Sadio Mane and American Alex Morgan, among the women's stars, are also among her favourites.
The Bengaluru girl, whose only ambition is to be a professional player, wants to play for the country and hone her skills abroad. "It's a tough road but I think I have the drive. I also want to play for Liverpool in the Premier League and Champions League," she said thanking all her coaches, from Mani sir to Amoolya Kamal, the current state coach.
Kamal and former India assistant coach Nivetha Ramadass see a bright future for the Karnataka talent. "Maitreyi's biggest plus point is her physique. She has got a good left foot and knows how to use the space. She thinks like an elite player. She has a bright future and I'm sure she will soon make it to the India U-17 team. She needs the right platform but I think it's too early for her to play in the IWL," said Nivetha, who is here as a scout of the All India Football Federation.
