India made a big splash at the inaugural SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship in Bangkok recently, finishing second. And two key pillars of the side, Nishka Parkash and Diti Kanungo, are proud products of the Mumbai Knights football club, who ply their trade in Div-II of the Indian Women’s League. For Parkash and Kanungo, the only two Mumbai girls in the national team, this was their maiden outing in Indian colours, and they are extremely proud of it.

“I never believed I could reach this level… that I could play and also score for India. When I scored my first goal of the tournament [vs Maldives], I celebrated by kissing the India badge on my shirt. I couldn’t believe it. It was a defining moment of my life,” Parkash, 21, who resides in Mahalaxmi, told mid-day recently. “Wearing the India jersey was the best feeling ever. My best outing was against Nepal, where I scored four goals in our 8-1 victory” said Grant Road-based Kanungo, 20. India ended the tournament in second place, winning four of their six games and losing two.