Defender Fay Menezes, mid-fielder Gazala Khan and striker Queenie Mendes share a lot in common. They have an undying urge to learn and perform on the pitch. Their spirit and enthusiasm have taken them far. Fay, a youth international, is in the midst of a comeback after being sidelined by an injury for a season. Gazala was called to an India selection camp while Queenie donned the country's colours at the Mini Olympics Rink football tournament at Capetown, South Africa.

There is one dream that keeps the three friends going -- that of donning the India colours and maybe... winning a Asian Games medal in 2002.

Fay, as sweeper, dictates the game from defence while Gazala, a college physical trainer, shapes as a mid-field marshall. Completing the trio is Queenie who as a striker isa scourge of defences with her deadly runs.

Fay, employed by ANZ Grindlays Bank, took to football purely by choice. Her intense love for football helped brave family disapproval at the start before eventually winning her parents confidence. For Gazala, it is perhaps a family tradition. Her father Rashid Khan was a former Tata and Salgaocar defender while Queenie was brought up with soccer being born in Orlem, Malad, where the sport is almost a religion. She quips: ``Maybe the first thing I ever did was kick a ball!''

The girls came together in 1993 when selected for the Mumbai team. Since then, they have been automatic Mumbai choices and are most often in the starting eleven. Each have played in a National Championship.

They pit their skills and experience in the first-ever Western India Football Association (WIFA) women's league. Queenie, playing for Orlem Social Welfare Council, squared up to Gazala and Fay sporting Rizvi colours.

Being competitive footballers entails grit and gumption and going byFay's accounts the pressures often take their toll.

The amiable Fay, pursuing a Masters in Business Administration (MBA), says:

``Academics and work pressures often tell on competitive sportspersons and football is no different. The strain often takes its toll.''

Queenie nurtured an ambition to make it into the national side in her very tender years. A second year B Com student at St Andrew's College, Bandra, she reflects: ``Some of my friends and coaches saw my potential and told me to make a serious effort of making it into the national side.,''

The three girls came within a whisker of ultimate glory on the National stage. The memory of a 0-2 defeat against Maharashtra in the final in Rajasthan two seasons ago after beating hot favourites Manipur in the semis rankled for quite some time. They returned home crestfallen at not winning the title after coming so close.

However, their determination unaffected, the trio entertain thoughts of doing one better at the next Nationals in Manipur.

Gazalaenthuses: ``We have grown in strength after the first league here and I daresay we will be tougher at the Nationals. We won't find it difficult beating Manipur, Punjab and Rajasthan.''

Not a tall claim considering the focus of Mumbai's challenge -- Queenie boosting the strike force with speed, control and body fients. Gazala with her defence-splitting passes. And Fay, stubborn and resilient in defence, praised even by her opponents. A triple treat for Mumbai women's football appears to be in the offing.