Chinese Taipei vs India Match Details
Date: Thursday, 21 September 2023
Time: 17:00 (IST)
Venue: Wenzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Wenzhou
Chinese Taipei vs India Match Preview
Chinese Taipei hopes to continue the progress made in the last year at the Asian Games 2023 held in China. The team almost entered the Women’s World Cup via the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022. Narrowly beaten on penalties by the Philippines in the quarterfinals, they entered the playoff for the event hosted by Australia and New Zealand reaching the final. Again, a close 2-1 loss to Vietnam and another shootout loss to Paraguay in the Confederation playoffs restricted them from fulfilling the dream. Chan Hiu Ming’s side was able to replace those disappointments with thumping wins over Lebanon and Indonesia in round one of the Olympic qualifiers. Ahead of facing stronger oppositions in round 2 including old foes Philippines, they will want to test themselves in the Asian Games. Interestingly, Chinese Taipei will play the hosts of the Women’s Asian Cup in the opener whom they never got the chance to play against in that competition despite being in their group. Being the group winners will be the motive to get into the knockouts permutation might be required if finished as runners-up.
That night was a disaster for the Indian women’s team because they had to forfeit the game and abandon the entire competition due to a COVID outbreak in the camp. The team took time to recover from the heartbreak after a hopeful ride in the build-up to the contest although disappointment continued as they lost to Nepal in the semi-finals of the SAFF Championship last year. Before that, Bangladesh beat them 3-0 in the group stages. Two more frustrating draws against Nepal at the start of 2023 threatened to derail them further but the Olympic Round 1 qualifiers triumphs over Kyrgyzstan got wind into the sails. The Blue Tigresses did not use the last FIFA window due to delay over managerial choice but with head coach Thomas Dennerby's contract now renewed, players like Manisha Kalyan and Jyoti Chauhan keep breaking records in Europe and with a camp for over a month, the team looks to be ready for the Asian Games 2023. Set to face two tough opposition in Chinese Taipei and Thailand it will prepare them well for the Round 2 Olympic qualifiers against Vietnam and World Cup quarterfinalists Japan. But for now, winning medals will be the priority which the women’s national team have not managed in the last two participations.
India Women’s Team Squad
Goalkeepers: Shreya Hooda, Sowmiya Narayanasamy, Panthoi Chanu
Defenders: Ashalata Devi, Sweety Devi, Ritu Rani, Dalima Chhibber, Astam Oraon, Sanju, Ranjana Chanu
Midfielders: Sangita Basfore, Priyangka Devi, Indumathi Kathiresan, Anju Tamang, Soumya Guguloth, Dangmei Grace
Forwards: Pyari Xaxa, Jyoti Chauhan, Renu, Bala Devi, Manisha Kalyan, Sandhiya Ranganathan
Head Coach: Thomas Dennerby
