AFC Women's Asian Cup to kickstart today! Here is all what you have to know about the upcoming edition.
By Muralidharan
20 January 2022
India is given the green light to host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Continental Tournament. This is the second time India got the hosting rights after 1980. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has selected the venues Navi Mumbai, Mumbai and Pune for hosting the tournament. The stadiums selected are Balewadi Stadium of Pune, Mumbai Football Arena of Mumbai and DY Patil Stadium of Navi Mumbai. Initially the venues were Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar and Navi Mumbai but later they changed it to Navi Mumbai, Mumbai and Pune.
INDIA'S HOPE FOR THE TOURNAMENT
The Blue Tigresses are planning to roar in this upcoming Continental Tournament. India’s Head Coach Thomas Dennerby said that their target is to reach the Quarter Finals. A strong squad is having with many experienced players and youngsters. Lose of star player Baladevi is a concern. Players to watch out are, Dalima Chhibber, Manisha Kalyan and Aditi Chauhan. India will be facing against the strong China PR, the Chinese Taipei and the Minnow Iran. India had defeated the Chinese Taipei in the previous year and also against Iran in 2018. China PR will be a really difficult opponent for the Blue Tigresses. India was 2 times Runners up on 1979 and 1983. India was 3rd placed on 1981. 
INDIAN SQUAD
Forwards  
Grace Dangmei 
Manisha Kalyan 
Pyrai Xaxa 
Renu 
Sumati Kumari 
Sandhiya Ranganathan 
Mariyammal Balamurugan
Midfielders
Yumnam Kamala Dev
Anju Tamang 
Karthika Angamuthu
Nongmeithem Ratanbala Devi
Naorem Priyangka Devi 
Indumathi Kathiresan
Defenders 
Dalima Chhibber 
Ngangbam Sweety Devi 
Ritu Rani 
Loitongbam Ashalata Devi 
Manisa Panna
Hemam Shilky Devi
Sanju 
Goalkeepers
Aditi Chauhan 
Maibam Linthoingambi Devi 
Sowmiya Narayanasamy 
PARTICIPATING NATIONS
A total of 12 teams are participating in the championship. They are listed below according to their groups.
Group A
China PR
Chinese Thaipei
India
Iran
Group B
Australia
Indonesia
Philippines
Thailand
Group C
Japan 
South Korea
Myanmar 
Vietnam
SERIOUS CONTENDERS 
Australia
The Matildas has won the tournament in 2010 and runners up in 2018 in the previous edition.
Japan
The Nadeshiko are the defending champions of AFC Women's Asian Cup. They won the tournament in 2014 and 2018.
China PR
The Steel Roses has won 8 times previously. They placed third in 2018 in the previous edition.
 
   
  
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