Drishti Pant has etched her name in Indian football history. The midfielder from Gujarat became the first woman to score an international futsal goal for India during the AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers against Kyrgyz Republic.
"I scored in the third minute of the match and didn't realize how big the achievement was at that moment," Pant tells us. "It was an amazing feeling, even though we narrowly lost that match. But it's given me lots of confidence going forward."
What makes her achievement more remarkable? Pant only started playing futsal a year ago when she joined a local league in Vadodara.
From Rookie to History-Maker in Just One Year
"Before that league, I hardly knew anything about futsal," she admits. "When they formed the Indian team, they selected 120 girls from across the country for a camp, and we were all very new to the sport."
The transformation was incredible. Their coach Joshuah Stan Vaz was amazed by how quickly the players improved before the final 14-player squad was announced.
Futsal differs significantly from traditional football. It's played with five players per side (including a goalkeeper) on a smaller indoor court with rolling substitutions allowed throughout.
"The tactics are completely different," Pant explains. "It's super fast—you can score in just two or three seconds. We even watched YouTube videos to understand the rules better."
This rapid pace makes futsal particularly exciting for fans and potentially interesting for bettors looking for high-scoring, action-packed matches.
Growing Women's Football in India
Pant's journey reflects the changing landscape of women's football in India. When she started playing in Ahmedabad for ARA FC, there weren't many female players.
"I used to train with under-15 boys, which really improved my skills and determination," she shares. "Now clubs have separate batches for girls, and there's much more support for women's football."
The sport's growing popularity is evident. Almost all Indian states now have their own futsal leagues, and the national women's team currently holds a respectable FIFA ranking of 79.
For bettors following emerging markets, the rapid development of women's futsal in India presents an interesting opportunity. Teams making quick progress often create value betting situations as bookmakers catch up to their true level.
Balancing sports with education hasn't been easy for Pant. She's pursuing a BBA degree and takes her books to camps and tournaments to keep up with studies.
Living independently in Ahmedabad while her parents stay in Uttarakhand has taught her valuable life skills. "Living on my own has taught me a lot—cooking my meals and saving money. These little learnings matter a lot in life."
With players like Drishti Pant leading the way, the future looks bright for women's futsal in India. Keep an eye on this team as they continue their qualification journey for the AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup 2025.
