Elangbam Panthoi Chanu is eager to bring India on the global footballing map after securing a move to South Australian Women’s National Premier League outfit Metro United WFC. The 28-year-old goalkeeper has been inspired by stalwart Bala Devi’s switch to Scottish giants Rangers WFC in 2020, and was eager to follow the footsteps of her senior teammate ever since.

Panthoi with two teams

A-League team Adelaide United FC coach Adrian Stenta had spotted Panthoi during the Women in Sports elite football trials in 2023, bringing about her move to Down Under. Whilst representing Metro United WFC, Panthoi will also be training with Adelaide United, and she believes that this is her first step towards playing in the A-League, whose next season begins in September.“I began my career with the Women’s Football Academy, and then went on to play for the Eastern Sporting Union, before playing for Manipur Police. I have garnered valuable experience representing them, and I showcased impressive performances all due to my hard work. However, now the challenge is different. It’s to go abroad and demonstrate the talent that is prevailing in Indian football to the outside world. I have a reasonable period left in my career and I am confident that I will be learning and implementing my takeaways appropriately, all the time,” Panthoi said.