India have been deemed to have withdrawn from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, after the team was unable to field the required number of players for its Group A game against Chinese Taipei today, following a Covid-19 outbreak.
The match was called off just minutes before kickoff after as many as 12 players from the home team tested positive for Covid-19. Two players were laid low by injuries.
🚨OFFICIAL🚨
— #WAC2022 (@afcasiancup) January 23, 2022
The #WAC2022 match between Chinese Taipei and 🇮🇳 India will not be played today due to India's inability to field a minimum of 13 players!https://t.co/sEBQ6hQ5P2
The AFC issued a statement confirming the development.
"Following several positive cases of Covid-19, India failed to name the required minimum of 13 players for the Group A match against Chinese Taipei.”
According to tournament rules, if a participating team does not show up for either a qualifying or a final match, it is deemed to have withdrawn from the competition.
The result is a blow for India, which is hosting the tournament. Sunday’s game was scheduled to take place at the DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai.
'Let there be no fingers pointed at any': AIFF President
AIFF President Praful Patel said, “We are as disappointed as probably the entire nation would be right now with this unwarranted situation. However, the players' health and well-being are of paramount importance to us, and it cannot be compromised under any circumstances. I wish all the infected players and team officials a swift and full recovery. They will be well supported by the AIFF and AFC.”
“The team is heartbroken, and I request all to respect their feelings and sentiments. I am proud of the great promise the team showed in their first match, and am confident that they will prove their mettle in the near future,” Patel, also a FIFA council member stated. “This is not the end of the world. The promise on display in the first match against IR Iran was there for all to see, and am confident they will bounce back from this temporary setback.”
“Unfortunately, this happened to us despite the best measures put in place, and it is sheer bad luck that it happened to us. Let there be no fingers pointed at any. We need to understand this is a pandemic situation, and no bubble is foolproof around the world.”
