Group B pits four ASEAN teams up against each other, with 2010 winners Australia paired alongside former champions Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia. Here are four players who could shine.

SAM KERR (AUSTRALIA)

One of the most renowned players in the women’s game, Sam Kerr has shot to global stardom in recent years, with her performances for Australia and Chelsea ensuring she is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world.

Having made her senior international debut at the age of just 15, the now 28-year-old has earned more than 100 caps and is already the Matildas’ all-time leading scorer on 49 goals, meaning she looks likely to bring up the half-century in India. 

Kerr’s breakthrough tournament came at the 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, where she opened the scoring in the final against DPR Korea before Australia was ultimately crowned continental champions for the first time after a penalty shootout victory.

The Perth native, a veteran of three FIFA World Cups and an Olympic Games semi-finalist, has amassed numerous honours in her homeland, the U.S and England, where she has won back-to-back WSL titles with Chelsea and reached the UEFA Women’s Champions League final in the past two seasons.

Having recently become the first Australian to be named on the final shortlist for the FIFA Women’s Player of the Year award, the 2020-21 WSL Golden Boot winner will be looking to fire her nation to glory in India, which happens to be the country of her grandmother. 

TANEEKARN DANGDA (THAILAND)

The sister of Thailand’s record-breaking striker Teerasil Dangda, Taneekarn Dangda has represented her country at senior level for the best part of a decade and is set to embark on what will be her third appearance at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

In 2018, Taneekarn was part of a Thai side that reached the semi-finals of the continental competition for the first time since 1986 before giving Australia an almighty scare as the Southeast Asians also qualified for their second successive FIFA Women’s World Cup.

A speedy forward with an eye for goal and the ability to run at defences from wide, the Bangkok native is among a host of experienced players in Thailand’s squad who has helped their nation reach new heights over the past eight years. 

With another key figure from that generation, Kanjana Sung-ngoen, no longer in the squad, the burden of expectation may weigh more heavily on Taneekarn ahead of India 2022 as she aims to help Thailand reach the knockout rounds and the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the third time in a row. 

SARINA BOLDEN (PHILIPPINES)

Sarina Bolden burst onto the scene at the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup when, on the opening night against hosts Jordan in front of almost 10,000 spectators in Amman, she spoiled the party by scoring the winner in what was her first competitive match for the Philippines.

Displaying her speed, strength and finishing ability, Bolden remained composed under pressure to net the goal that would ultimately take the Philippines to the fifth-place play-off and within just a game of reaching the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

The Southeast Asians fell short against the Korea Republic, but California-born Bolden – part of a number of players from the Philippines diaspora who, alongside local talent from across the country, has raised the level in recent years – had announced her name in style.

Four years on and Bolden, who now plays her club football in Japan, is set to return to the continental competition with the Philippines. Having helped her country advance beyond the group stage for the first time four years ago, the forward will be aiming to at least equal that this time around.  

ZAHRA MUZDALIFAH (INDONESIA)

Aged just 20 years old, Zahra Muzdalifah is among the hottest prospects in an exciting generation of Indonesian players who have helped their country qualify for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup for the first time in more than three decades.

The forward first displayed her potential on the international scene at the 2018 AFF Women’s Cup, where, at just 17 years old, she scored her first goal for Indonesia, before she was also on target at the Asian Games later that year. 

With the development of the women’s game in Indonesia picking up pace in recent years, Zahra has been the face of it. Indeed, such is her popularity in her football-mad homeland, she has already amassed almost one million followers on Instagram.

But she does her serious talking on the pitch and played a key role in helping her nation twice overcome regional rivals Singapore to reach the showpiece event in India. Part of a youthful Indonesia side, the Persija Putri star will be eager to showcase her talent as she embarks on her biggest competition to date.

(AFC)