Bala Devi becomes first Indian woman to score first goal in Scottish Women’s Premier League

Star footballer Bala Devi became the first Indian woman to score in a professional league in Europe when she netted for the Rangers FC in a 9-0 decimation of Motherwell FC in the Scottish Women’s Premier League.

Bala scored the Rangers' ninth goal in the 85th minute after coming off the bench in the 65th minute. Bala latched on to a through ball from midfield and slotted the ball low into the net to register her name on the scoresheet.

Kirsty Howat and Lizzie Arnot scored a hat-trick each while Megan Bell and Daina Bourma were also on target.

Bala Devi had become the first Indian to sign a professional contract in a top-tier club in Europe in January. Bala Devi has also featured in the 'Old Firm Derby' -



which is one of the oldest football rivalries in the world between Rangers FC and Celtic FC.

Bala is the current top scorer for the Indian national women's team, netting an impressive 52 times in 58 games since 2010, which also makes her the top international goal scorer in the South Asian region.

She has also served as a national team captain in a distinguished international career, which began when she was called up aged just 15.

Bala has a prolific record at the domestic level with over 100 goals in 120 games. She has been the top scorer in the Indian Women's League for the past two seasons and has also been named as All India Football Federation (AIFF) Women's Player of the Year twice, in 2015 and 2016.