India will start off their AFC Asian Cup campaign with a tough game against formidable Australia in Al Rayyan on Saturday. India qualified for back-to-back AFC Asian Cups for the first time in their history with just one goal conceded in the 3rd round of qualification. For Australia, on the other hand, it will be the fifth successive appearance at this tournament after topping their second-round Asian qualification group with a 100 per cent record.
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India have some injury concerns going into the match, with a number of important players such as Rohit Kumar, Ashique Kuruniyan, Anwar Ali and Jeakson Singh missing from the squad. Moreover, the Blue Tigers do not have a very good record in this tournament, only reaching beyond the group stage of the Asian Cup once before, in 1964, when they finished runners-up to Jordan.
The stakes are big for India in 2024, with Sunil Chheetri and co also aiming to reach the third round of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Currently, India are tied on points with Kuwait in Group A in World Cup qualifying, but trail on goal difference. The Blue Tigers have scored just one goal in their last two matches. India had a great year last year, winning the South Asian Federation Football Championship, Intercontinental Cup and Tri-Nation series.
Australia have been a more confident bunch after qualifying to the Last 16 of the previous FIFA World Cup. Moreover, they have an impeccable record against Asian opponents off-late.
Australia have triumphed in their last five matches against Asian opposition under coach Graham Arnold, with a 2-0 win over Bahrain last week. The Aussies haven’t lost to an Asian opposition since March 2022, when they lost 1-0 to Saudi Arabia, and have outscored their last three Asian opponents by a 10-0 margin.
Match Details
Match: India vs Australia, AFC Asian Cup
Date: 13th January
Time: 5 PM IST
Venue: Al Rayyan, Doha
India vs Australia Head-to-Head
Played: 8
Australia: 4
India: 3
Draws: 1
India vs Australia Predicted Starting Line-ups
Australia: Gauci; Atkinson, Souttar, Burgess, Bos; McGree, O’Neill, Irvine, Goodwin; Duke, Boyle
India: Sandhu; Poojary, Jhingan, Bheke, Bose; Wangjam, Ralte; N. Singh, Samad, Chhangte; Chhteri
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