⬤ Great preview by the AFC: "Heavyweights, hopefuls and key matches: Examining the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifying draw" (The-AFC.com), including - The heavyweights’ path: Three top contenders - Since you’ve been gone: Three long-term absentees who could shine - Must-see matches: Five crucial games on the road to India / (Archive) Did India pull out of playing in the qualifiers? They said they were planning to do that as a practice.
"(...) in preparation for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022, the AFC Executive Committee also decided to provide greater flexibility in finalising the dates for the Qualifiers, which is currently scheduled for September 13 to 25, 2021, taking into consideration the challenges that may arise from the availability of hosts, team travel arrangements, quarantine and medical measures imposed by several nations. Therefore, the AFC will now work with the relevant host Member Associations to finalise the competition dates to complete the Qualifiers." also "The AFC Executive Committee has today approved the AFC Women’s Football Committee’s recommendation to cancel the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Indonesia 2022 and the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022." (AFC article)
Turkmenistan has withdrawn from Group A. North Korea has withdrawn from Group C. Both due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Opens the door for one of Indonesia, Singapore or Iraq to get to the final tournament and another mid-level team from AFC to qualify for the 2023 WWC.
Qualified for the AFC Women's Cup: India(host) Japan Australia China (*group host) GROUP A: Chinese Taipei*, Bahrain, Laos GROUP B: Vietnam, Tajikistan*, Maldives, Afghanistan GROUP C: Indonesia*, Singapore, Iraq GROUP D: Lebanon*, Guam, Myanmar, United Arab Emirates GROUP E: South Korea, Uzbekistan*, Mongolia GROUP F: Nepal*, Hong Kong, Philippines GROUP G: Jordan, Iran, Bangladesh(*Uzbekistan replaces Bangladesh as host) GROUP H: Palestine*, Thailand, Malaysia
After these withdrawals, it stings even more that some decent teams ended in up in the same group as strong contenders (as it happened to Uzbekistan in South Korea's group), since few teams would have most probably meant a re-shuffling of the pots, with more chances for some middle-tier team to advance. Frankly, I would have preferred to see Uzbekistan play the final tournament, than a lucky random team like Indonosia, Singapore or Iraq.
With Australia already qualified as hosts, I'd guess and say the five to qualify directly to the WWC are: Japan, China, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. The two to go to the playoff tournament would likely be Myanmar and Philippines (with Taipei as the dark horse). India, plus the Group C & G qualifiers should be the ones at the bottom.
Tomorrow is the start - the qualifying groups have become the most unpredictable for many years, due to pandemics and some teams being unable to play: ● Because North Korea and Iraq withdrew, a 2-leg match will decide group C - so, it'll be a shock qualification for either Indonesia or Singapore to the finals! (Photos by PSSI / FA Singapore) ● Nepal enter for the first time since the 1999 Asian Championship. After good results in South Asia in recent years, they'll play Hong Kong and the Philippines' Malditas in group F, but Nepal are lacking the injured star striker Bhandari. Two friendlies of Nepal v Bangladesh last week ended 2-1 and 0-0. ● Matches are happening around Asia in September, for six of the eight groups - this is the AFC's preview: - "Excitement builds ahead of AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ Qualifiers" First game is in Uzbekistan on Friday, with a debutant, and an experienced team: "The action will kick off on September 17 in Group E when Mongolia, who are seeking their first appearance in the Finals, face Korea Republic, who finished third in 2003, at the Pakhtakor Stadium in Tashkent at 4pm (local time)." -- (The-AFC.com) A venue probably not as unnerving as the last time they qualified... "North And South Korea At Loggerheads, This Time At Women's Football" (2017) Fixtures & standings here - correct for your timezone: https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-womens-asian-cup/fixtures/
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has confirmed that the National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) of North Korea, Thailand and Indonesia have each been declared non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code. As a result, the 3 countries now face strict sanctions: Not allowed to be awarded the right to host any regional, continental or World Championship events by any Code signatory for a year or until they are reinstated, whichever is the longest period. National flags also cannot be flown at major events other than the Olympic and Paralympic Games for as long as the NADOs are non-compliant. The NADOs also lose their WADA privileges and are ineligible to stage any event hosted, organised, co-hosted, or co-organised by WADA. Representatives from the trio will be unable to serve as a member of any WADA committee or its Foundation Board Thailand and Indonesia already qualiffied for AFC Cup 2022, North Korea withdrew. Unless FIFA finds some loophole or said NADOs comply with WADA, women teams from those countries won't be able to play in AFC Cup (at least not under their own flag).
If Thailand can't participate, the likelihood of India, Iran or Taipei qualifying for the World Cup becomes more likely.
Most likely...however for competitivness sake I'd rather replace one of them with Uzbekistan. If the draw was made again today Uzbekistan (43) and South Korea (18) both would've probably been seeded and couldn't meet in the same group. The thoughest opponent Uzbeks could've drawn in such scenario with 8 groups would've been Iran (72) or Hong Kong (76). Even if we consider new scenario with 6 groups insted of 8, still the toughest opponent that Uzbek team should've drawn is Jordan (63) or Philippines (68). I have no idea how it was allowed to happen for both South Korea and Uzbekistan to be drawn into the same group.
So much like Russia in recent events then. Pretty safe bet they will be allowed to particpate but representing the National Soccer Federations or something not the nation itself.
Thailand has better chance as their players need only to show their domestic anti-dope tests and they can play under neutral flag. Indonesia (and North Korea) ban is more severe: These Signatories’ activities related to their outstanding testing corrective actions will be subject to supervision by an approved third party, at the Signatories’ expense, including up to six site visits per year, with all costs to be paid in advance, where known (ISCCS Annex B.3.1 (c)). Question is if Indonesian FA will pay extra and go for all the trouble for their Women's Team only to play under neutral flag.
With North Korea qualifying for the u17 and u20 WWC next year, we have to wonder if they will be allowed to participate?
The Signatories’ countries’ flags will not be flown at regional, continental or world championships, or events, organized by Major Event Organizations, other than at the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, for the next edition of that event or until reinstatement, whichever is longer (ISCCS Annex B.3.1(e.2)). It would suggest they will be allowed to participate next year because this year qualifications are part of same WWC U17/U20 event. It's next cycle that would see them barred from entry under national flag. I guess... (Indonesia were to host 2022 AFC Women's U17 Cup but the AFC announced cancellation of the tournament on 5 July 2021)
Makes it fairly easy to determine who qualifies for what. Group winners: China, Australia, Japan 2nd: Taipei, Thailand, South Korea 3rd & advances to knockout round: Philippines & Vietnam. QUARTERFINALS China* vs. Vietnam Japan* vs. Philippines Australia+ vs. South Korea Taipei vs. Thailand* *qualifies for WC, +wins & is already qualified as hosts Losers bracket: Vietnam* vs. Philippines South Korea* vs. Taipei Philippines & Taipei lose but qualify for WC playoff
I wouldn't discount so easily Philippines, now that they signed former Australia's coach Alen Stajcic. I am not saying that they're going to unseat Thailand for 2nd-place in their group, but I could see them beat Vietnam for a direct qualification to the WWC instead, for instance.
Yeah it's still a Wild East some places out there in terms off women's football. That's why for example I don't buy into any results by North Korea youth and senior womens teams from past decade.
Zohreh Koudaei has played in various tournaments before and has had these allegations throughout the years, but both AFC and FIFA have apparently come down on her side and against Jordan's accusations.