MUMBAI: India suffered a blow on the eve of their AFC Women's Asian Cup opener against Iran at the DY Patil Stadium when it emerged on Wednesday that two of their players have tested positive for Covid-19.
"One out of those players should recover by tomorrow. She tested positive on the 15th. The other player tested positive today," a source told TOI.
In what could be a setback for this 12-team tournament, which is being organised in a bio-bubble with no crowds amid the third wave of covid, this paper has learnt that there are reports of a positive case in Japan's team too.
Following the development, the All India Football Federation, through its official twitter handle 'Indian football team,' tweeted: "Two members of the Indian Women's Senior National Team for the AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022 have tested positive for Covid-19, and are currently in isolation at a designated medical care facility. The AIFF prioritises the health and safety of its players, and are following all the necessary health protocols as have been laid down by the AFC."
The situation, though, is under control, said a source. "All the players have been kept in single occupancy rooms. They're all disciplined. The hotel staff is residential. Even in the dining area, not more than two players eat on one table," he said.
On Monday, AIFF president Praful Patel had said that matches of the women's AFC Asian Cup will not be cancelled due to positive cases if 13 players are available in each of the two competing teams. Patel, also the chairman of the Local Organising Committee, had said that contingency plans have been put in place to deal with any situation in case participating team members get infected.
"I hope not (of players testing positive of Covid-19), but in case such a situation arises, we have contingency plans, AFC has contingency plans. The affected player or players will be isolated but the teams will be fielded as long as 13 players (in each team) are available," Patel had said in the presence of Maharashtra cabinet minister Aaditya Thackeray.
All the 12 participating teams have named 23-member squads for the tournament. "AFC and Fifa want strict implementation of Covid-19 protocols and Fifa officials are also visiting here. We want a smooth, safe and successful tournament," Patel, also a member of the FIFA Council, had said.
