AFC Asian Cup 2022: Will India vs Chinese Taipei be rescheduled? If not, what happens?

Following a continuous rise in COVID-19 cases in ongoing AFC Asian Cup 2022 with players from India Women's Football team being affected,  AFC on Sunday announced that India vs Chinese Taipei in AFC Women's Asian Cup has been cancelled. y said that  host was ineligible to field 13 players due to COVID-19.

AIFF president Praful Patel issued a statement on unforeseen incident, calling it 'sheer b luck' and stressing on how 'no bubble is fooproof'. "Unfortunately, this happened to us despite best measures put in place, and it is sheer b luck that it happened to us. Let re be no fingers pointed at any. We need to understand this is a pandemic situation, and no bubble is foolproof around world," Patel tweeted on Sunday. 

" team is heartbroken, and I request all to ir feelings and sentiments. I am proud of great promise team showed in ir first match, and am confident that y will prove ir mettle in near future. We are as disappointed as probably entire nation would be right now with this unwarranted situation. However, players' health and well-being are of paramount importance to us, and it cannot be compromised under any circumstances," he furr ded.

Will India vs Chinese Taipei AFC Asian Cup match be rescheduled?

Looking at  tight schedule AFC has drawn up for competition, it is highly unlikely that match will be re-scheduled. After facing Chinese Taipei, India was set to play ir next match against China on January 26 while Chinese Taipei was set to play Iran simultaneously.

However, if India vs Chinese Taipei match is rescheduled, it should ideally be happening between January 27 and January 29 since quarterfinal matches start on January 30. And with a break required before qualified team plays quarterfinal matches, it is unlikely that Chinese Taipei would be convinced to rescheduling matches which would mean India will be out.

Indian Women's Team likely to miss 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

As per provisions in   AFC's special rulebook for competitions held during pandemic, India is out of tournament and if that's case n host is out of running for 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. According to an ESPN report, withdrawal is not 100% confirmed. 

AFC Women's Asian Cup: AFC issue statement on India's participation

As per Article 4.1 of ‘Special Rules Applicable to AFC Competitions during COVID-19 pandemic’ (Special Rules). rule states "If a Participating Team/Participating Club has less than thirteen (13) Participating Players (including one [1] goalkeeper) available for a Match for any reason (wher or not relating to COVID-19), relevant Participating Team/Participating Club shall not be able to participate in Match. Such Participating Team/Participating Club shall be held responsible for Match not taking place and shall be considered to have withdrawn from relevant Competition."

statement furr said that inability of India to participate in match also triggers Article 6 of AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ regulations. "In exceptional circumstances and provided that any rescheduling will not affect Match Schedule determined by AFC General Secretariat, AFC Competitions Committee (or any sub-committee carrying out duties on its behalf) may grant an exception to foregoing and allow relevant Match to be rescheduled."

AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 will continue to be played as scheduled with Group winners, runners-up and two best third-placed teams qualifying to Quarter-finals. matter will now be referred to relevant AFC Committee(s) in accordance with applicable regulations. AFC has maintained an open line of communication with teams and participating Member Associations throughout competition to deal with all ir concerns and enquiries in a timely manner. 

AFC Medical Team continues to work closely with Local Organising Committee and AIFF to prioritise health and wellbeing of teams, officials and stakeholders. Appropriate medical care is being provided to infected players and AFC wishes m a full and speedy recovery.