Women's AFC Asian Cup: India announces 23-women squad

The Women's AFC Asian Cup host country, India named the 23-member squad for the upcoming tournament on Tuesday. The Indian Women's Team head coach Thomas Dennerby announced the team members. The tournament is all set to start from 20 January to 6 February in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Pune. After 1980, this is the first time India is hosting the continent's highest competition.

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All India Football Federation (AIFF) has not declared the name of the captain yet, but it is likely that Ashalata Devi will lead the team in the marquee tournament. Also, the squad includes 4 players from the team that became the runners-up in the U-19 SAFF Championships last month. The entire team including the staff are now camping in Kochi since they returned from Brazil. They will leave to reach Mumbai on January 13, Thursday.

15 players in the squad are under the age of 25 years and Dennerby feels that both youngsters and experienced players can help themselves both on and off the pitch.

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Thomas Dennerby's thoughts on the squad selection:

Thomas Dennerby said, "We have a good bunch of young players, and some experienced heads too. The young ones are hungry to prove themselves, so that brings in a good level of energy and healthy competition for places. But it also works the other way round — as the experienced players can guide the young ones in different things both on and off the pitch."

He added, "If you start thinking too much about permutations and combinations, that can take a toll on the way you play the game. The coaches can do all the thinking that we can, but for the players, it's all about going out there and playing well on the day. Football is a 'beautiful game,' and you need to live in the moment to play it well."

The 23-women squad of the Women's AFC Asian Cup:

Goalkeepers: 
Aditi Chauhan (1), Maibam Linthoingambi Devi (23), Sowmiya Narayanasamy (19).

Defenders: 
Dalima Chhibber (17), Sweety Devi Ngangbam (2), Ritu Rani (21), Loitongbam Ashalata Devi (4), Manisa Panna (3), Hemam Shilky Devi (5), Sanju Yadav (8).

Midfielders: 
Yumnam Kamala Devi (6), Anju Tamang (9), Karthika Angamuthu (20), Nongmeithem Ratanbala Devi (7), Naorem Priyangka Devi (14), Indumathi Kathiresan (12).

Forwards:
Manisha Kalyan (16), Grace Dangmei (11), Pyari Xaxa (10), Renu (15), Sumati Kumari (22), Sandhiya Ranganathan (13), Mariyammal Balamurugan (18).