AFC U17 Asian Cup: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) have announced Nishima Kumari of Jharkhand as the replacement for attacking midfielder Shilji Shaji. Shilji was admitted to a hospital last night in Indore after being diagnosed with viral pneumonia. Nishima will now replace Shilji in the Kyrgyz Republic vs India Under-17 women’s squad for the AFC Women’s U17 Asian Cup Qualifier Round 1 tournament. Follow AFC U17 Asian Cup Live Updates on InsideSport.IN
Shilji’s treatment and how she came onto the scene
The 16-year-old Shilji will now be flown into Delhi by the national federation to undergo further tests, and monitor her recovery under the supervision of AIFF’s medical team.
🚨 UPDATE! Shilji Shaji was diagnosed with viral pneumonia and will be flown to Delhi for further treatment, Nishima Kumari replaces her in the squad.#YoungTigresses 🐯 #ShePower 👧 #IndianFootball ⚽
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) April 21, 2023
Shilji had caught the attention of coach PV Priya since her joining the camp in Chennai in early January. In the last two months, Shilji has emerged as a prolific attacking midfielder scoring 8 international goals in the SAFF U17 Women’s Championship in Bangladesh. Earlier in January, Shilji was instrumental in India’s win over Jordan in two friendly matches scoring four goals each.
AIFF announces full squad for AFC U17 Asian Cup
AIFF announced a 23-member squad on 19 April for their ‘Group F’ fixture. India will play against hosts Kyrgyz Republic on 26 April, and Myanmar on 28 April at Bishkek. The squad started its preparation under coach PV Priya in January in Chennai along with the Senior and Under 20 women’s squad, before moving to Indore where they have been training for the last 50 days.
India’s Full Squad: Sarangthem Khambi Chanu, Anisha Oraon, Khushi Kumari, Yendrembam Thoi Thoi Devi, Toijam Thoibisana Chanu, Nishima Kumari, Heena Khatun, Vikshit Bara, Juhi Singh, Akhila Rajan, Arya Anilkumar, Irom Sonibia Devi, Nongmeikapam Shibani Devi, Lourembam Menaka Devi, Shivani Toppo, Babita Kumari, Cindy Remruatpuii Colney, Shveta Rani, Sulanjana Raul, Remi Thokchom, Lalita Boypai, Kajal Kumari, Pooja.
Group F:
26 April: Kyrgyz Republic Vs India
28 April: India Vs Myanmar
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