Team heartbroken, says AIFF prez Praful Patel after WAC 2022 exit

The Blue Tigresses failed to field a team against Chinese Taipei and conceded the match.

The Indian football team are out of the AFC Women's Asian Cup after failing to field a team against Chinese Taipei for the second Group A fixture, following COVID outbreak in the camp. As many as 11 players and staff members have tested positive in the Blue Tigresses' camp leaving them short of the minimum required number of players to go ahead with the match. AIFF president Praful Patel offered his support and said it was sheer bad luck.

In his statement, Patel said: “We are as disappointed as probably the entire nation would be right now with this unwarranted situation. However, the players' health and well-being are of paramount importance to us, and it cannot be compromised under any circumstances. I wish all the infected players and team officials a swift and full recovery. They will be well supported by the AIFF and AFC.”

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“Our support for the Blue Tigresses will continue, and we will work to ensure that our players come back stronger. The AIFF also thanks the fans and is grateful for their continuous support in the joint endeavour to take Indian Football Forward Together,” the AIFF President averred.

“The team is heartbroken, and I request all to respect their feelings and sentiments. I am proud of the great promise the team showed in their first match, and am confident that they will prove their mettle in the near future,” Mr. Praful Patel, also a FIFA council member stated. “This is not the end of the world. The promise on display in the first match against IR Iran was there for all to see, and am confident they will bounce back from this temporary setback.”

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“Unfortunately, this happened to us despite the best measures put in place, and it is sheer bad luck that it happened to us. Let there be no fingers pointed at any. We need to understand this is a pandemic situation, and no bubble is fool proof around the world.”

Mr. Praful Patel, also thanked the fans for their “continuous support.”

“The AIFF also thanks the fans and is grateful for their continuous support in the joint effort to take Indian Football Forward Together.”

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