India National team will take on Chinese Taipei in their second match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday, 23rd January. Both teams will be looking to leave a mark, with India aiming to add to the solitary point they have got from the 0-0 draw against Iran, and Chinese Taipei looking to open their account after their 4-0 hammering against China in the last game. Read the match preview below.
CHINESE TAIPEI NATIONAL TEAM SQUAD
INDIAN NATIONAL TEAM SQUAD
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
Chinese Taipei Wins: 0
India Wins: 2
The Blue Tigresses have faced the Mulan two times in the past, once very recently. In October 2021, India defeated Chinese Taipei 1-0 in an international friendly, courtesy of a goal from Renu in the third minute of the game. Prior to that, these teams had faced each other on May 23, 2013 in an AFC Women’s Cup qualifier. Lai Li-Chin, Yu-Hsui Chin, and Sasmita Malik were the goal-scorers in the game that went 2-1 in favour of Chinese Taipei.
With the spoils shared so far and given what’s at stake, both teams will want to go out all guns blazing to win the upcoming fixture. India are currently ranked 55th while Chinese Taipei sit 39th in the FIFA rankings. The visitors have also lifted the trophy once and will walk in as favourites.
PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP
The Mulan had a forgettable outing against China in the first game, losing 4-0. However, they can be expected to return with a roar against the hosts. Cheng Ssu-Yu will continue to be under the bar.
At the heart of defense will be Su Sin-Yun on the right central position and Lai Wei-Ju on the left. On the right-back position, Pan Yen-Hsin can be expected to start, after being replaced due to a precautionary measure in the last game. If she doesn’t start, Wu Kai-ching is expected to take her place. On the left, Pan Shin-Yu is a certainty.
Chang Su-Hsin, who was in a more defensive role against China, can be expected to marshal the midfield. Hsu Yi-Yun will be the box-to-box midfielder, a player who loves to attack empty spaces. Lai Li-Chin will be the creator-in-chief just above Chang and Hsu.
Zhuo Li-Ping is set to start as the right-winger while Chen Yen-Ping can be expected to take the left. Centrally it will be Su Yu-Hsuan, who missed two good opportunities in the last game. Against India, Hsuan would be hoping to set the record straight and open her account.
Aditi Chauhan will be in the goal without any doubt. She didn’t have much to do in the 0-0 draw against IR Iran but she will need to be in her very best against 39th ranked Chinese Taipei.
Ashalata Devi as left center-back, Dalima Chhibber at right-back, and Sanju Yadav at left-back almost choose themselves. Sweety Devi will come back if she’s recovered and fit, but it looks unlikely at the moment, and thus, Manisa Panna is expected to continue as the right center-back.
Ratanbala will continue to sit as a screener just in front of the defense. Accompanying Ratannala in the heart of the midfield will be Anju Tamang, who recycled possession well and found wingers well in the last game, and Indumathi Kathiresan – who will continue to start as No. 10 – with consummate ease. Kamala Devi could also be a surprise starter as an attacking player, given her ability and experience.
Manisha Kalyan will retain her place on the left and Dangmei Grace can be expected to start ahead of Sandhiya Ranganathan on the right. The striker’s position is up for grabs. Pyari Xaxa did not have the best of outings against Iran and Renu, in the handful of minutes, she was on the pitch, certainly added to the physicality in the opponent’s box. Renu had also scored the only goal against Taipei in October so that works in her favor as well. However, given the cohesive understanding Pyari shares with Manisha, Indu, and Grace, we believe she will be in the starting line-up.
EXCERPTS FROM THE PRESS CONFERENCE
Kazuo Echigo: “Our players need to recover after this tiring game (against China) first. Last October, we lost against India in a match, so we need to take revenge and we have motivation.”
Thomas Dennerby: “It’s not time for that (focusing on the table) yet. Chinese Taipei lost to China, but they are a good team, and we need to play well against them.”
MATCH DETAILS AND TELECAST
Match Date – 23rd January 2022 (Sunday)
Time – 7:30 PM IST
Venue – DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
How to watch – Eurosport (on Television), Jio TV (live streams)
IFTWC’s MATCH PREDICTION
India has a better record against Chinese Taipei till now and the hosts will look to get the best of a comparatively stronger Taipei team on their second game after dropping points in the first match against Iran. It will be a difficult game for team India, but if going by their recent form India has an edge over the Mulan. IFTWC predicts a 1-0 win for India.
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