The AFC Women’s Asian Cup is finally going to take place in India from 20th January 2022. The matches will be held in 3 venues across Maharashtra, India – Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Pune.
Indian Women’s Football Team head coach Thomas Dennerby has officially announced the 23-women squad list for the upcoming tournament. India have chosen a relatively young squad with 15 players under the age of 25.
Indian Women’s Football Team squad for AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022
(jersey numbers in brackets)
GOALKEEPERS: 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
Team India’s fixtures in Group A of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022
January 20: India vs Iran
January 23: Chinese Taipei vs India
January 26: India vs China PR
Indian head coach Thomas Dennerby said in an official statement: “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. 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.”
“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.”
