The year 2022 marked a historic milestone for women's athletics across Asia. It was a period when passion, world-class talent, and intense continental rivalries culminated in two of the most significant sporting events in recent memory. If you are searching for information on the women asia cup 2022, you are likely looking for details on one of two massive tournaments that dominated the calendar: the premier football championship or the elite T20 cricket tournament. Both tournaments captured the imagination of millions of fans, showcasing the meteoric rise of female athletes in the region.

On one hand, football fans witnessed the 2022 afc women's asian cup (the twentieth edition of the prestigious association football tournament hosted by India) which also doubled as the primary qualifying pathway for the historic 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. On the other hand, cricket enthusiasts were treated to the acc women's asia cup 2022 in Bangladesh, an action-packed T20 international tournament that highlighted the incredible growth and depth of women's cricket. In this ultimate guide, we provide a comprehensive look at both iconic tournaments, exploring their key moments, standout players, dramatic finishes, and their lasting legacy on women's sport in Asia.

The 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup (Football)

The 2022 afc women's asian cup was a tournament of unprecedented proportions. Held in India from January 20 to February 6, 2022, it was the first time since 1979 that the nation had hosted the continent's most prestigious football competition. This edition was unique because it represented an expanded tournament structure—growing from eight teams to twelve—and acted as the final stage of Asian qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. With five direct World Cup tickets up for grabs (excluding co-hosts Australia), the stakes were at an all-time high.

Three world-class venues in the state of Maharashtra hosted the matches: the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, the Mumbai Football Arena, and the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune. Despite being played behind closed doors due to pandemic-related safety protocols, the action on the pitch was electric from the opening whistle.

Heartbreak for the Host Nation

For the host country, India, the tournament began with tremendous promise but ended in devastating heartbreak. Drawn into Group A alongside heavyweights China PR, Chinese Taipei, and newcomers Iran, the Blue Tigresses put on an impressive, dominant performance in their opening match against Iran, securing a hard-fought 0-0 draw.

However, before their highly anticipated second-group clash against Chinese Taipei, a severe COVID-19 outbreak tore through the Indian camp. With twelve players testing positive and two nursing injuries, India was left with only eleven fit players—failing to meet the tournament's mandatory minimum of thirteen. Under Article 4.1 of the Special Rules Applicable to AFC Competitions during the COVID-19 pandemic, India was considered to have withdrawn from the tournament.

This forced the cancellation of all their matches, rendering their initial point against Iran null and void. While the exit was incredibly painful for the players who had trained for years in preparatory tours across South America and Europe, the tournament pressed forward, setting the stage for unforgettable stories of grit and resilience.

Group Stage Surprises and Knockout Drama

With India's withdrawal, Group A quickly became a battleground for China PR and Chinese Taipei, with China dominating both matches to secure top spot. Meanwhile, in Group B, Australia made their title intentions clear. Led by global superstar Sam Kerr, the "Matildas" put on a clinic, which included an emphatic 18-0 victory over Indonesia. The Philippines, under the guidance of head coach Alen Stajcic, also enjoyed an exceptional run, qualifying for the knockout stages alongside Australia.

In Group C, defending champions Japan and powerhouse South Korea set the standard, navigating their fixtures with tactical brilliance to progress to the quarter-finals alongside third-placed Vietnam.

The quarter-finals produced some of the most dramatic upsets in the history of the women's asian football cup 2022:

• The South Korean Sensation: South Korea faced tournament favorites Australia. Despite Australia dominating possession, South Korea executed a defensive masterclass, capped off by a stunning 87th-minute long-range strike from Ji So-yun to secure a historic 1-0 win and eliminate the Matildas.
• The Historic Philippine Dream: The Philippines faced Chinese Taipei in a grueling encounter. After a 1-1 draw in extra time, the match went to a tense penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel became the nation's hero, saving two penalties and scoring one herself to win the shootout 4-3, booking the Philippines their first-ever ticket to a FIFA World Cup.
• Vietnam's Resurgence: After falling to China 3-1 in the quarter-finals, Vietnam entered the special repechage play-offs, where they defeated both Thailand and Chinese Taipei to secure their historic, maiden World Cup berth.

A Final for the Ages: China PR's Miracle Comeback

The grand finale of the 2022 women's asia cup football tournament took place on February 6, 2022, at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, featuring an epic showdown between China PR (the "Steel Roses") and South Korea (the "Taegeuk Ladies"). China was hunting for a record-extending ninth title, while South Korea was chasing their first-ever continental championship.

The match began as a tactical masterclass by South Korea. They exploited gaps in the Chinese defense, with Choe Yu-ri opening the scoring in the 27th minute. Just before the halftime whistle, South Korea was awarded a penalty, which Ji So-yun coolly converted to give her side a seemingly insurmountable 2-0 lead.

At halftime, China's legendary head coach, Shui Qingxia, made crucial tactical changes, introducing Zhang Linyan to spark life into the attack. The adjustments worked miraculously. In the 68th minute, Tang Jiali converted a penalty to bring the score to 2-1. Just four minutes later, Tang delivered a brilliant cross that Zhang Linyan headed past the Korean goalkeeper, leveling the score at 2-2.

With both teams exhausted and extra time looming, the final minute of stoppage time arrived. In the 93rd minute, China executed a beautiful sequence of passes inside the box, allowing Xiao Yuyi to slot home the winning goal. The comeback was complete: China PR won 3-2 in one of the greatest finals ever played, solidifying their status as the queens of Asian football.

Individual Distinctions and Stats

• Champions: China PR (9th title)
• Runners-Up: South Korea
• Top Scorer (Golden Boot): Sam Kerr (Australia) – 7 goals
• Most Valuable Player (MVP): Wang Shanshan (China PR)
• Best Goalkeeper: Zhu Yu (China PR)
• Matches Played: 26 | Goals Scored: 104 (average of 4 goals per match)

The 2022 ACC Women's Asia Cup (Cricket)

While the football tournament defined the early months of the year, the latter half belonged to cricket. The acc women's asia cup 2022 took place from October 1 to October 15, 2022, at the picturesque Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Organized by the Asian Cricket Council, this eighth edition of the tournament was played in the highly entertaining Twenty20 International (WT20I) format, attracting cricket fans worldwide.

Seven prominent Asian cricket nations competed in a highly competitive round-robin format: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia. The top four teams at the end of the round-robin stage would progress to the semi-finals.

The Rise of Thailand and the Fall of the Defending Champions

The group stage of the cricket women's asia cup 2022 delivered unprecedented drama and showcased the rapid closing of the gap between traditional powerhouses and emerging associate nations.

Undoubtedly, the standout story of the group stage was the incredible rise of the Thailand women's national cricket team. On October 6, 2022, Thailand pulled off one of the greatest upsets in international cricket history by defeating Pakistan by four wickets. Restricting the heavily favored Pakistani squad to 116/5, the Thai batters chased down the target with remarkable composure, reaching 117/6 with one ball to spare, thanks to a brilliant innings of 61 by Natthakan Chantham.

This historic victory, paired with wins over Malaysia and the UAE, catapulted Thailand into fourth place with six points, allowing them to secure a historic semi-final berth.

In stark contrast, the host nation and defending champions, Bangladesh—who had dramatically defeated India to win the 2018 title—experienced a heartbreaking campaign. Plagued by inconsistent performances and a critical washed-out match against the UAE, Bangladesh finished fifth in the standings, failing to qualify for the knockouts on home soil.

Heart-Stopping Semi-Finals

With India finishing top of the table (losing only to Pakistan in the group stage) and Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand filling out the remaining top-four spots, the stage was set for two highly contrasting semi-final clashes on October 13, 2022.

In the first semi-final, India faced Thailand. Although the Thai bowlers fought valiantly, India's experience was overwhelming. Led by Shafali Verma's explosive 42 and a brilliant bowling spell from Deepti Sharma (3 wickets for 7 runs), India posted 148/6 and restricted Thailand to 74/9, winning by 74 runs. Despite the loss, the Thai team won hearts globally for their spirited campaign and post-match bow of respect to the fans.

The second semi-final between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was a legendary nail-biter. Sri Lanka batted first, posting a competitive total of 122/6, fueled by Harshitha Samarawickrama's composed 35. Pakistan's chase was tense, matching Sri Lanka run-for-run. Heading into the final over, Pakistan required nine runs to win. Sri Lankan bowler Achini Kulasuriya delivered a masterclass under immense pressure. With three runs needed off the final ball, Pakistan's Nida Dar was run out attempting a desperate second run, leaving Pakistan at 121/6. Sri Lanka won by a mere single run, booking their ticket to the final for the first time in fourteen years.

The Grand Finale: India's Seven-Star Performance

On October 15, 2022, the final of the 2022 women's asia cup cricket tournament took place in Sylhet. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat, hoping to put up a challenging total. However, they ran head-first into a ruthless Indian bowling attack that executed one of the most clinical bowling performances in tournament history.

Indian right-arm seamer Renuka Singh was virtually unplayable. She ripped through Sri Lanka's top order, claiming three wickets for just five runs in her three overs. Under relentless pressure, Sri Lanka's batters collapsed, with wickets falling at regular intervals. They slumped to a disastrous 32/8 before a minor lower-order recovery allowed them to crawl to 65/9 in their allotted 20 overs.

Chasing a target of 66, India's star opener Smriti Mandhana went on the counter-attack immediately. Mandhana played a breathtaking innings, smashing an unbeaten 51 off just 25 deliveries, including six boundaries and three massive sixes. India chased down the target in a mere 8.3 overs, finishing on 71/2 to seal a dominant eight-wicket victory.

With this triumph, India secured their seventh women asia cup title across nine editions, re-establishing themselves as the undisputed champions of Asian cricket.

Standout Players and Tournament Awards

• Champions: India (7th title)
• Runners-Up: Sri Lanka
• Player of the Match (Final): Renuka Singh (India) – 3/5
• Player of the Series: Deepti Sharma (India) – 13 wickets and 94 runs
• Highest Run-Scorer: Jemimah Rodrigues (India) – 217 runs (average of 54.25)
• Joint-Highest Wicket-Takers: Deepti Sharma (India) and Inoka Ranaweera (Sri Lanka) – 13 wickets each

Why 2022 Was a Game-Changer for Women's Sport in Asia

When evaluating the legacy of the women asia cup 2022 tournaments, it is clear that 2022 served as a massive inflection point. Both the football and cricket events went far beyond the boundaries of sporting competitions; they acted as powerful catalysts for social change, commercial investment, and grassroots development.

First, the massive digital viewership and media coverage generated by these events proved to broadcasters and corporate sponsors that women's sports in Asia have an incredibly passionate, highly engaged fan base. In football, the success of the tournament led directly to historic investments in national teams across the region. Emerging football nations like the Philippines and Vietnam went on to capture global headlines at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, proving that strategic funding and exposure could yield immediate, historic results.

Similarly, in cricket, the incredible skill on display during the Sylhet tournament laid the commercial foundation for what would become a historic next chapter. The undeniable popularity of stars like Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, and Jemimah Rodrigues, coupled with the rising competitiveness of teams like Thailand, proved the market's readiness for elite franchise cricket. This directly accelerated the launch of the Women's Premier League (WPL) in 2023. This groundbreaking league secured staggering broadcast rights and player auction fees, fundamentally transforming the livelihoods of female cricketers worldwide.

Ultimately, the women's asian cup 2022 tournaments tore down long-standing barriers, proving that female athletes in Asia possess the skill, marketability, and competitive drive to command the global spotlight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who won the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup in football?

China PR won the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup by defeating South Korea 3-2 in a dramatic final at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, India, on February 6, 2022. This marked China's record-extending ninth continental title.

Who won the 2022 ACC Women's Asia Cup in cricket?

India won the 2022 ACC Women's Asia Cup by defeating Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the final on October 15, 2022, in Sylhet, Bangladesh. This was India's seventh Asia Cup title in cricket.

Why did India withdraw from the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2022?

Host nation India was forced to withdraw from the football tournament after a severe COVID-19 outbreak within their squad prevented them from naming the mandatory minimum of thirteen players for their second group-stage match against Chinese Taipei.

How did Thailand perform in the 2022 ACC Women's Asia Cup?

Thailand had a historic campaign, pulling off one of cricket's greatest upsets by defeating Pakistan by four wickets in the group stage. This allowed them to finish fourth and qualify for their first-ever Asia Cup semi-finals, where they eventually fell to India.

Which football teams qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup from this tournament?

China PR, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam qualified directly for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup through the tournament. Australia qualified automatically as co-hosts.

Who was the top scorer in the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup?

Sam Kerr of Australia was the tournament's top scorer, winning the Golden Boot with seven goals despite Australia being eliminated in the quarter-finals.

Who was the Player of the Series in the 2022 Women's Cricket Asia Cup?

Deepti Sharma of India was named Player of the Series for her outstanding all-round performance, scoring 94 runs and taking a joint-tournament-high 13 wickets.

Conclusion

The dual stories of the women asia cup 2022 showcase a glorious chapter in Asian sports history. Whether it was the thrilling, last-second comeback of China's football team in Navi Mumbai or the ruthless dominance of India's cricket squad in Sylhet, 2022 was a year defined by passion, drama, and elite athleticism. More importantly, the immense popularity and competitive balance of these tournaments helped pave the way for a more equitable, highly funded future for female athletes. As we look back on these historic events, they stand as a powerful testament to the limitless potential of women's sports across the Asian continent.