Irony, India Was Knocked Out Of The Women's Asian Cup After 12 Of Its Players Tested Positive For COVID-19

Indian women's national team (Twitter.com/@afcasiancup)

JAKARTA - The host of the 2022 Women's Asian Cup, India had to accept the harsh reality at the start of the competition. They were declared eliminated from the tournament after their squad was attacked by cases of COVID-19.

Reporting from The Indian Express, Monday, January 24, there were 12 of the total 23 Indian women's national team players who tested positive for COVID-19. Not only players, but there were also four team staff who were also infected.

The positive case of COVID-19 in the Indian national team was discovered ahead of the match against Taiwan which was scheduled to take place on Sunday, January 23 evening WIB. Due to this situation, India cannot continue its struggle in the 2022 Women's Asian Cup.

Because, apart from the 12 players who tested positive for COVID-19, there were also two players who had to be absent due to injuries. If based on calculations, this condition makes India only have nine players who are ready to compete.

However, according to the 2022 Women's Asian Cup regulations, each team must have a minimum of 13 players to compete. This refers to article 4.1 of the 2022 Women's Asian Cup regulations.

"A team that has fewer than 13 players and is unable to participate in a match, that team shall be liable for the absence of the match and will be deemed to have withdrawn from the competition," the article reads.

Due to this situation, the President of the Indian Football Federation (AIFF), Prateful Patel said that the Indian women's national team players were devastated by the harsh reality they had to face. However, Patel believes the Indian women's national team can quickly rise.

"I'm sure they will bounce back from this momentary setback," he said.

India itself is in Group A of the Women's Asian Cup with China, Taiwan, and Iran. Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has ensured that the 2022 Women's Asian Cup will continue amid the rise of COVID-19 cases in India.