AFC Asian Women’s Cup: Ashalata will be the leader; Bala Devik has lost to India

The India host on Tuesday nominated its 23-member team for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup, including four youngsters from the team that was runner-up at the SAFF Under-19 Championship last month in Dhaka.

Although the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has not yet named a captain, Ashalata Devi will be a highly experienced leader in the continental tournament, which will be held at three venues in Maharashtra from 20 January to 6 February.

There are no surprises in the group announced on Tuesday, as 27 players have been camping in Kochin since last month, of which 23 were selected.

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The four players who took part in the SAFF came together and are part of this team: Hemam Shilky Devi (defender), Mariyammal Balamurugan (striker), Sumati Kumari (striker) and Naorem Priyangka Devi (defender).

However, India will lose the services of seasoned striker Bala Devi, who is still recovering from an ACL (previous cruciate ligament) surgery last September. It may take at least six months to fully recover after surgery.

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India is hosting the biggest competition on the continent for the first time since 1980 and a possible place at the 2023 FIFA World Cup is at stake.

To qualify automatically for the four-year show in Australia and New Zealand, India, ranked 55th in the world, must be among the top five teams.

Tournament organizers have released templates from all 12 participating nations. Monday was the last day to register.

Final list of 23 registered players:

ATELAK: 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).

ADVANCES: Manisha Kalyan (16), Grace Dangmei (11), Pyari Xaxa (10), Renu (15), Sumati Kumari (22), Sandhiya Ranganathan (13), Mariyammal Balamurugan (18).