Elangbam Panthoi Chanu even after conceding two goals, scored from the spot-kicks and losing in her debut in South Australia’s national premier league obtained a big boost from the team’s coach.

Speaking on a Whatsapp call from Adelaide on Friday the 26-year-old goalkeeper stated, “We lost 1-2 against Football South Australia. Both the goals were scored from spot-kick. But this apart, I did not make any mistake in the match. Coach Paul Morris appreciated me for that, saying ‘well done’. It was a big boost for me to exhibit better show in the team’s upcoming matches.” 

Panthoi Chanu has a dream. That is to make a transition from South Australia NPL to the country’s premier football competition A-league. She added, “I dream of playing in the A-League. So, I want to deliver my best in the South Australia NPL.” 

South Australia NPL will continue till September and Panthoi seemed determined to dish out a breakthrough performance that can guide her to get a call from any A-League team. 

Metro United FC is languishing in the seventh position in the League table with only three points in the three matches. 

The club far has three goalkeepers. Commenting on the training style Panthoi revealed, “Under the guidance of the goalkeeping coach Luis Orgaz goalkeepers’ training is held mainly according to match sequence."

She added, "We train in a few sessions that last alternatively for one hour or 45 minutes. Match-situation is created by the coaching staff and we learn to adopt the skill and temperament while trying to save our team from conceding goals.” 

In recent years, Panthoi has ascended to become India's premier goalkeeper. Before joining Metro United WFC, she played a pivotal role in the recent success of the Senior National Team, helping them secure the runners-up position at the Turkish Women's Cup held earlier this year. 

Panthoi divulged that she was scouted by an organisation named Women in Sport in June last year. “It was a five-day program, held in Kolkata. We had to play matches. Coaches from various countries attended to scout Indian players."

She continued, "Adelaide United coach Adrian Stenta wanted me to make a move to Australia and said it would be good to start with a club this season at this level to get regular game time and adjust to the country and then try to step up to the A-League as well. He recommended me to Paul Morris, head coach of Metro United WFC, then he contacted my agent, and we confirmed the transfer a few months ago.”

Panthoi’s journey had always been difficult; no bed of roses was laid down on her path of progress. After she recovered from the career-threatening injury in 2021, misfortune struck again in 2022 when the injury resurfaced, sidelining her just before the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2022. But Panthoi remained resilient. She underwent two years of recovery and intensive training in Spain last year before making an inspiring comeback to the National Team. 

Even, in 2021, during the National Team training camp in Goa, goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi Chanu suffered a fractured right shin that not only left her bedridden for two months but also raised serious doubts about her footballing future.

Little could one imagine that the athletic Manipuri would not only defy all odds to return to the pitch with a bang to clinch her spot in the National team again but would also travel to Australia to play in the South Australian National Women’s Premier League for Metro United WFC.