AFC Women’s Asia Cup: India’s second game against Chinese Taipei in the AFC Women’s Asia Cup has been forfeited after the hosts have failed to field a team due to a massive COVID-19 outbreak in their camp. Follow all the Indian Football Updates only on InsideSport.In
While Chinese Taipei and the match officials were present at the stadium, the Indian Women’s team did not even travel to the ground as they already knew that they won’t be able to field a proper team for the game.
✨ #WAC2022 MATCHDAY 2️⃣ ✨
Chinese Taipei 🆚 India 🇮🇳
⏰ 7:30 pm
🏟 D.Y. Patil Stadium
🎥 Watch it LIVE: https://t.co/5etDcd9CKq #WAC2022 | #TPEvIND pic.twitter.com/4mr2vmZehe— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) January 23, 2022
However, there was no proper official statement from the All India Football Federation as we headed on to kickoff. However recently AFC have confirmed that the match has been forfeited.
India have not been able to field a team and therefore by the rules, Chinese Taipei will be handed a 3-0 win by walkover. The statement clearly mentioned that India could not field 13 players needed for a match to go ahead. So AFC did not have any other option but to hand Chinese Taipei the walkover.
“In accordance with Article 4.1 of the ‘Special Rules Applicable to AFC Competitions during the COVID-19 pandemic’ (Special Rules), India was therefore unable to participate in the match and the full provisions of Article 4.1 will apply,” the statement from AFC read.
The Blue Tigresses started the AFC Women’s Asia Cup with a 0-0 draw against Iran. They were very dominant against Team Melli but could not find the killer blow. The draw meant that they had to win against Chinese Taipei to go through to the quarterfinals. But now all that have come crashing down. It is highly unlikely that the Indian team will feature against China in the last group game so it is unofficially over for the Blue Tigresses in the continental tournament.
Despite all the noise surrounding the hosts and their withdrawal from the AFC Women’s Asia Cup, AFC have announced in their official statement that the tournament will continue as it is.
Women’s Asian Cup: Focus is solely on game against Chinese Taipei, says Dennerby
“The AFC Women’s Asia Cup 2022 India will continue to be played as scheduled with group winners, runners up and best two third place teams qualifying for the quarterfinals,” the statement read.
Finally AIFF also came up with a press release reiterating the unfortunate events. AIFF president Praful Patel urged the entire country to support the players as they are heartbroken and have promised that the health and safety of the players will be given utmost priority by AIFF and also AFC.
“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,” Patel said in the statement.
Indian national team defender Sweety Devi tested positive for the virus and missed out the opening match against Iran. But now it seems that the virus has spread across the camp and hence resulting in a heartbreaking end for the Blue Tigresses at the quadrennial tournament.
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