A day after the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 draw, the atmosphere of the Indian women’s team is in full focus in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. The team returned from a grueling performance tour, where they faced six tough opponents in three different countries with completely different weather conditions.
Players gathered together to watch the draw at the team hotel on Wednesday, eagerly waiting to see who they face in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which will be hosted by India next year.
“We have a collective dream, and that is to do well in the Asian Cup. We have only a few months left now, and watching the draw live was a huge motivating factor for all of us,” said captain Ashalata Devi. “We all gathered in the hall where we usually hold team meetings and do video sessions, but the only difference was that our future opponents were unfolding before our very eyes. The atmosphere inside the hall was absolutely buzzing.
“It was very exciting for us when the draw was happening. Those moments when they were picking the teams for Group A, some of us closed our eyes and held each other’s hands,” smiled midfielder Sanju Yadav.
Eventually, India was drawn against eight-time champion China PR, two-time champion Chinese Taipei and West Asian heavyweight IR Iran. Captain Ashalata had even predicted which teams she would like to face.
Hosts India draw with China, Chinese Taipei and Iran for 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup
“We each had our own predictions,” Ashalata laughed. “I also predicted Iran, because I have a lot of respect for them, and we included them in our group from the very beginning,” she continued. “I have a lot of respect for them. Not only are they a very good team, but the determination of all the women on their team to go out there and play football against all odds is something that still gives me goosebumps. gives. “
India beat Chinese Taipei 1-0 in a friendly in Bahrain earlier this month and beat IR Iran by the same margin at the Hero Gold Cup in Bhubaneswar in 2019, but Sanju isn’t one to focus on past results .
“We have got equal respect for all the teams. Yes, we have defeated Iran and Chinese Taipei, but that is all a thing of the past. Nobody will give an inch in the Asian Cup and we have to fight for whatever we get.
A few players from the Indian women’s team have joined Gokulam Kerala FC as the club prepares for the pilot edition of the AFC Women’s Club Championship in Jordan next month. The draw itself was a completely different experience for him.
“We were all excited about the draw, and now is the time to focus on the job ahead,” says winger Dangmei Grace.
India’s campaign in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup will begin on January 20 against IR Iran at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai at 7.30 pm, followed by Chinese Taipei (DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai at 7.30 pm IST) and China PR (Mumbai). Will be Football Arena, Mumbai, 7.30 pm IST).
read all breaking news, breaking news And coronavirus news Here. follow us on Facebook, Twitter And Wire.
.