WC dreams over for ‘absolutely devastated’ players

Covid knocks India out of AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

NT Correspondent

For a bunch of Indian women football players hailing from humble backgrounds, life in the last one year has revolved around playing in the AFC Asian Cup and with that taking a shot at the elusive FIFA World Cup but that dream lay shattered after COVID-19 knocked them out of the tournament.

From captain Ashalata Devi to the youngest in the squad, Hemam Shilky Devi, the Asian Cup was a once in a lifetime opportunity and all of them were looking forward to qualify for the quarterfinals, which would have also taken them to the 2023 World Cup, before they were left “heartbroken”.

If not a World Cup berth, they would have made it to the intercontinental playoffs which would have been historic in Indian football. But it is now in the realm of ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ after 12 players tested positive for the virus and the match against Chinese Taipei was called off.

The Asian Football Confederation on Monday confirmed that India are deemed to have withdrawn from the continental showpiece. “Absolutely devastated,” said senior player and goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan aptly capturing the sentiment within the squad right now.