Bala Devi urges Indian football fans to come in support of the Indian Women’s football team for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup

India is all set to host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2020 in January next year. It is the biggest footballing bonanza in the continent and the whole of the country are hyped up to host the flagship continental tournament in three years time.

The twelve best teams from Asia will battle it out for the biggest continental crown. The tournament is scheduled to take place in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Pune and will run till February 6, 2022.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) unveiled the official tagline of “Our Goal for All” for the upcoming tournament. Ten teams have already secured their place in the prestigious tournament. The remaining two will make it to the tournament this week. The teams that have already qualified for the tournament are reigning champions Japan, hosts  India, Australia, China PR, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Korea Republic, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

One of India’s biggest football stars, Bala Devi have urged the Indian football fans to show their support to the Indian women’s football team in their quest for the continental crown. Bala Devi who has plied his trade for Scottish outfit Rangers FC have also won the AIFF Women’s Player of the Year. She wants people to get behind the women’s football teams participating in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and the  FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022.

“I was overcome with joy when I learnt that in 2022 India will host both, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 as well as the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022. I was very happy because these tournaments will be a fantastic stepping stone for our young girls to progress. When you look at the support for our team that participated in the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017, it is really unbelievable, ” said the 31-year old.

“They were so widely and strongly supported, which made me really happy. I would humbly request everyone to show similar support to the women who will be participating in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 in January next year, as well as to those who will play in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022 in October next year,” said the striker, who has netted 42 goals in her 11-year international career,” she continued.

The Indian Women’s team has an opportunity to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia/New Zealand 2023 through the Asian Cup. Since the top five teams in the continental tournament will get a direct qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.