Sanju Yadav

Sanju Yadav (born 12 September 1997) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Indian Women's League club Sribhumi and the India women's national football team.

Early life Born in the village of Alakhpura, Yadav began playing football at the age of ten in order to gain scholarships and money for her family. She mainly trains with her village players and the India national team.

Domestic career In October 2016, Sanju was part of the Alakhpura side that took part in the preliminary round of the Indian Women's League. On 17 October 2016, she scored a hattrick for the club against Bodyline. This helped her side win 4–0. She emerged the top scorer at the league's preliminary round, netting 11 goals and thus helping her team qualify for the tournament's final round. At the final round of the women's league she helped her team qualify in the semi finale by scoring three goals.

On 21 December 2016, after her performances for both her club and country, Yadav was named the AIFF Emerging Player of the Year.

She then joined Rising Student's Club for the 2017-18 Indian Women's League and scored 2 goals for the club in the Final Round. In 2019 she joined Gokulam Kerala FC.

International career In February 2016, Yadav was selected as a member of the 20-woman India squad that would participate in the 2016 South Asian Games. She made her debut and scored her first goal internationally on 13 February 2016 against Bangladesh. Her goal in the 74th minute was the fourth as India won 5–1 and moved into the gold medal match. Two days later she came on as a substitute in the 69th minute as India won the tournament, defeating Nepal 4–0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.

Career statistics International

Scores and results list India's goal tally first. +List of international goals scored by Sanju Yadav No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 13 February 2016 Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong, India 4–1 5–1 2016 South Asian Games 2. 27 December 2016 Kanchenjunga Stadium, Siliguri, India 5–1 5–1 2016 SAFF Women's Championship 3. 11 November 2018 Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar 6–0 7–1 2020 Olympic Qualifiers 4. 21 January 2019 Hong Kong 3–1 5–2 Friendly 5. 30 January 2019 Benteng Taruna Stadium, Tangerang, Indonesia 1–0 2–0 Friendly 6. 1 March 2019 Alanya, Turkey 2–0 10–0 2019 Turkish Women's Cup 7. 3–0 8. 7–0 9. 13 March 2019 Sahid Rangasala, Biratnagar, Nepal 4–0 6–0 2019 SAFF Women's Championship 10. 6–0 11. 9 April 2019 Mandalar Thiri Stadium, Mandalay, Myanmar 2–2 3–3 2020 Olympic Qualifiers

Honours

India SAFF Women's Championship: 2016, 2019 South Asian Games Gold medal: 2016

Odisha Indian Women's League: 2023–24

Rising Students Club Indian Women's League: 2017–18

Individual AIFF Women's Emerging Player of the Year: 2016