India announce 23-member group for Women’s Asian Cup

Host nation India on Tuesday named its 23-member squad for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup, together with 4 kids from the group that completed runners-up within the U-19 SAFF Championships in Dhaka final month. While the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has not named a captain but, the skilled Ashalata Devi is prone to lead the aspect within the continental event, which shall be held in three venues throughout Maharasthra from January 20 to February 6.
The gamers and help workers, who’ve already been tenting in Kochi, Kerala because the group’s return from Brazil, will fly out to Mumbai on Thursday, January 13, 2021.
India squad for Asian Cup.
India have been drawn towards IR Iran (January 20), Chinese Taipei (January 23) and China PR (January 26) in Group A of the competitors that consists of 12 groups.
With as many as 15 gamers beneath the age of 25 within the comparatively younger squad, Dennerby believes that it will “the youngsters and the experienced bunch can help each other out, both on and off the pitch.”
“We have a good bunch of young players, and some experienced heads too. The young ones are hungry to prove themselves, so that brings in a good level of energy and healthy competition for places,” stated Dennerby earlier than including, “But it also works the other way round — as the experienced players can guide the young ones in different things both on and off the pitch.”
The coach additionally maintained that the group is approaching “one game at a time.”
“If you start thinking too much about permutations and combinations, that can take a toll on the way you play the game. The coaches can do all the thinking that we can, but for the players, it’s all about going out there and playing well on the day. Football is a ‘beautiful game,’ and you need to live in the moment to play it well,” he stated.
India is internet hosting the continent’s highest competitors for the primary time since 1980 and at stake is a doable berth within the 2023 FIFA World Cup.
For an computerized qualification to the quadrennial showpiece in Australia and New Zealand, India, ranked fifty fifth on this planet, have to be among the many high 5 groups.
The event organisers have launched the squads of all of the 12 taking part nations. Monday was the final date of registration.
The closing record of 23 registered gamers as follows:
GOALKEPEERS: Aditi Chauhan (1), Maibam Linthoingambi Devi (23), Sowmiya Narayanasamy (19).
DEFENDERS: Dalima Chhibber (17), Sweety Devi Ngangbam (2), Ritu Rani (21), Loitongbam Ashalata Devi (4), Manisa Panna (3), Hemam Shilky Devi (5), Sanju Yadav (8).
MIDFIELDERS: Yumnam Kamala Devi (6), Anju Tamang (9), Karthika Angamuthu (20), Nongmeithem Ratanbala Devi (7), Naorem Priyangka Devi (14), Indumathi Kathiresan (12).
FORWARDS: Manisha Kalyan (16), Grace Dangmei (11), Pyari Xaxa (10), Renu (15), Sumati Kumari (22), Sandhiya Ranganathan (13), Mariyammal Balamurugan (18).
HEAD COACH: Thomas Dennerby.
(With PTI inputs)