Indian Women’s football team will embark on their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 journey later tonight when they take on IR Iran at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. For the second time, India will be hosting this quadrennial tournament after 1979, where they finished second after losing to the Republic of China in the final. Back then, it was a six team affair; now, 12 teams will participate in the behind-closed-door competition. This tournament holds special importance, as the FIFA World Cup qualification will be at stake. Five teams will have the chance to qualify for the main event directly, while two will progress to the inter-confederation play-offs.
So, just ahead of the Blue Tigress’ big match, the entire Indian football fraternity came out to support the Indian team ahead of the tournament, including current and former international players.
Indian men’s football team captain Sunil Chhetri had a heartfelt message for the women’s team and said that everyone is proud of the team, and he is sure the team will make the country even prouder.
A heartfelt message for the #BlueTigresses ???? ahead of the Women’s @afcasiancup India 2022 by none other than @chetrisunil11 ????⚽????⚽#INDIRN ⚔️ #WAC2022 ???? #BackTheBlue ???? #ShePower ???? #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/cV4GDugx9C— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) January 20, 2022
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia too had a special message for the Indian team.
Former India captain @bhaichung15 has a few words of wisdom to impart to the #BlueTigresses ???? as they kick off their Women’s @afcasiancup campaign ????????#INDIRN ⚔️ #WAC2022 ???? #BackTheBlue ???? #ShePower ???? #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/5UffzJpRoH— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) January 20, 2022
Many other former and current player too wished the Blue Tigress’ for the tournament.
The Great Wall of India @GurpreetGK sends his wishes for the #BlueTigresses ???? ahead of their Women’s @afcasiancup opener against Iran ????????#INDIRN ⚔️ #WAC2022 ???? #BackTheBlue ???? #ShePower ???? #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/O0Tc9okKTs— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) January 20, 2022
Go get them !.All the best ..#BlueTigresses https://t.co/Bdx31soJx6— Sahal Abdul Samad (@sahal_samad) January 20, 2022
Good luck to the #BlueTigresses as they kick-off their Women’s @afcasiancup campaign today! We are with you.#BackTheBlue #indianfootball https://t.co/swAus7DOlR— Anirudh Thapa (@AnirudhThapa) January 20, 2022
#BlueTigers defender @SandeshJhingan with a few words of encouragement for the #BlueTigresses ????#INDIRN ⚔️ #WAC2022 ???? #BackTheBlue ???? #ShePower ???? #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/tjROXCntYN— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) January 20, 2022
Former Indian international Gouramangi Singh, IM Vijayan, Mahesh Gawli, Shanmugam Venkatesh, Maymol Rocky, former head coach of the Indian Senior National Women’s Team also sent special messaged ahead of the start of the tournament.
Apart from Iran, India have been drawn against Chinese Taipei, whom they will face on January 23 and China PR (January 26) in Group A. The top two from each of the three groups, along with the two best second placed teams from the groups will make it to the quarterfinals.
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