India’s match against Chinese Taipei at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Group A got canceled minutes before kickoff after 12 players from the home team tested positive for coronavirus and two were down by injuries.
🚨OFFICIAL🚨
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
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) January 23, 2022
A top source of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has confirmed the development to PTI following which the AFC also issued a statement.
The AFC stated that following several positive cases of COVID-19, India has failed to name the minimum requirement of 13 players for the Group A match against Chinese Taipei.
Group A match not taking explains the host chances of qualifying for the quarterfinals of the 12 nation premier continental showpiece are desolated.
The match between India and Chinese Taipei was about to take place at the DY Patil Stadium in Maharastra.
India was held to a goalless draw by Iran in their tournament’s first match on January 20, Thursday and there were some COVID-19 cases in the team even prior to that game.
In the Chinese Taipei’s last match, they lost to China PR by 0-4 on January 20, Thursday.
The AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 will be continued to play as per the schedule with the Group winners, runners-up, and the two best third-placed teams reaching the quarterfinals.
