Navi Mumbai: India’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup group A game against Chinese Taipei was canceled minutes before kick-off on Sunday after as many as 12 home team players tested positive for COVID-19 and two were injured.
A top source from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed the development to PTI, after which the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also issued a statement.
“After several positive cases of COVID-19, India has not named the required minimum of 13 players for the Group A match against Chinese Taipei,” the AFC said.
Not taking place in Group A means the hosts’ chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the main continental flagship of 12 countries are bleak.
The match was to take place at the DY Patil Stadium.
India was held against a goalless draw by Iran in their tournament opener and there were a few COVID cases in the team even before that match.
