India is ready to host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 from 20th January to 6th February 2022. The AIFF has announced the Indian Women’s Squad for the upcoming Women’s Asian Cup.
The Venues are all Geared Up
The AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 will be held at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, the Mumbai Football Arena in Mumbai, and the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune, with all three venues and training facilities currently being prepared.
For the Women’s Asian Cup India 2022, new training facilities were built in Pune. The ground of the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex has been renovated, and new floodlights have been installed.
Two additional practice pitches have been constructed to accommodate the competition. Apart from that, the media tribune, team locker rooms, and hospitality sections have all been refurbished.
The Significance of the Tournament for FIFA
The tournament will also serve as the final stage of Asian qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023. Five teams will automatically qualify for the main tournament, while two will go to the inter-confederation play-offs.
Japan is the defending Women’s Asian Cup champion, which the team won in 2018. On the other hand, China and Australia will be attempting to dethrone the Nadeshiko’s.
The Indian Squad
India’s 23-member Line-up for the forthcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup was announced on Tuesday, featuring four young players from the team that placed second in the U-19 SAFF Championships in Dhaka last month.
All India Football Federation (AIFF) has yet to name a captain, seasoned player Ashalata Devi is expected to lead the team in the continental event, which will take place in three locations across Maharashtra from 20th January to 6th February.
The players and support staff will fly out to Mumbai on Thursday, 13th January 2021, after camping in Kochi, Kerala, after the team’s return from Brazil.
In Group A of the 12-team competition, India is up against IR Iran (20th January), Chinese Taipei (23rd January), and China PR (26th January).
Indian Women’s Team Head Coach Thomas Dennerby believes that “the youth and the experienced bunch can assist each other out, both on and off the pitch,” With as many as 15 players under the age of 25 in the relatively young group as reported in The Hindu.
The Indian Team Line-up for AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022
Goalkeepers
Aditi Chauhan (1), Maibam Linthoingambi Devi (23), and Sowmiya Narayanasamy (19) are the goalkeepers in the squad.
Defenders
Loitongbam Ashalata Devi (4), Dalima Chhibber (17), Sweety Devi Ngangbam (2), Ritu Rani (21), Manisa Panna (3), Sanju Yadav (8), Hemam Shilky Devi (5) are among the defenders.
Midfielders
Anju Tamang (9), Nongmeithem Ratanbala Devi (7), Karthika Angamuthu (20), Naorem Priyangka Devi (14), Indumathi Kathiresan (12), Yumnam Kamala Devi (6) are among the midfielders.
Forwards
Manisha Kalyan (16), Pyari Xaxa (10), Renu (15), Sumati Kumari (22), Sandhiya Ranganathan (13), Mariyammal Balamurugan (18), Grace Dangmei (11) are among the forwards.
Head Coach – Thomas Dennerby.
Conclusion
The Indian squad indeed comprises very experienced and good players. Let’s see how our team performs in the cup, which starts on 20th January 2022.
For more info about the cup, you can visit the official AFC Women’s Asian Cup Website.
(With inputs from PTI)
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