Sonali Soren is being termed one of the promising female footballers in Bengal presently. Her coach at Sreebhumi Sports Club Sujata Kar had praise for this left wing-half. Sujata commented, "Sonali has potential. If she can work hard she will prosper in the long run."

Sonali is only 17 years old but has already experienced wearing Bengal’s jersey in the under-17 category as well as India’s jersey in the under-20 SAFF football competition last year in Bangladesh. 

But she did not sound delighted with the achievements she acquired so far. She has already scored five goals so far in the ongoing Kolkata Women's League, and Kanyasree Cup for Sreebhumi SC. She was the top scorer in the school district championship twice. Still, Sonali revealed, "I have not yet accomplished anything which can be shown off."

Sonali’s father Hari Soren is a farmer. Her mother Shephali Soren is a primary school teacher at Dhattrigram, the village in East Burdwan where they live. 

But Shephali Soren had a different past. She was a professional kabaddi player whose dream of reaching the highest level of the game was unfulfilled. That might be the reason Shephali nurtured another dream that her daughter would also join a sport and prosper. 

So when Sonali after watching her school girls playing football desired to follow them and started practicing with the school girls under the guidance of local coach Raghunath Murmu, Shephali did not obstruct. Rather, she and her husband encouraged Sonali a lot. 

The first-year student of Bhupendranath College divulged, “We do not have TV at our home. Mother says watching TV creates addiction and distracts the focus. Even, during my free time at home, I live with football, juggling it to increase control. I must have to don India shirts at the senior level. When I am at home, I go to the ground in both morning and evening. Under Raghunath sir's observation I practice individually, do shooting practice, speed-training, skill-developing training.” 

Sonali showed an exceptional attitude when she refused to join a Kolkata team in the post-COVID-19 period as she was not satisfied with her fitness. She played for East Bengal in the Kanyasree Cup in 2019 and then she is playing in the League in 2023. 

Sonali had separate words for her Sujata madam. “Her training style is excellent, especially in the way she motivates us helps a lot to deliver the best.”

Sonali is preparing for the team's title-winning match against East Bengal on Friday at Kishore Bharati Stadium.

She does not have any idols. Rather the wing-half has a desire. That is to talk to Sunil Chhetri and take his advice.