India to Face Australia in AFC Asian Cup 2024 Opener

Sunil Chhetri-led Blue Tigers will open their campaign against Australia in the AFC Asian Cup 2024 at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha. It will be India’s fifth appearance at the most prestigious competition in Asian Football, having previously been part of the 2019, 2011, 1984, and 1964 editions.

The Igor Stimac-managed side, though, is the best of the lost that has participated in the tournament since 1964, when India were the runners-up behind Israel in a four-team event hosted by Israel.

India and Australia have played against each other 9 times. The Blue Tigers have won three games, while the Socceroos have emerged victorious 5 times, with one match ending in a draw.

In the AFC Asian Cup, the two teams have come up against each other in only one match, which was in the 2011 edition of the competition. In that game, played in Doha, Qatar, Australia beat India 4-0, thanks to a brace by Tim Cahill.

The Aussies are ranked fourth in Asia and 25th in the world according to FIFA rankings. India, on the other hand, are placed 18th in Asia and 102nd in the world. Australia are the clear favorites, and even if India can manage a respectable scoreline, it would be an achievement for the Blue Tigers.

Qatar is the defending champion of the AFC Asian Cup, having beaten Japan in the final of the 2019 edition.

India’s probable starting lineup for the match includes Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Akash Mishra, Sandesh Jhingan, Rahul Bheke, Nikhil Poojary, Anirudh Thapa, Suresh Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Sahal Abdul Samad/Rahul KP, Naorem Mahesh Singh, and Sunil Chhetri.

Australia’s probable starting lineup consists of Matt Ryan (GK), Nathaniel Atkinson, Harry Souttar, Cameron Burgess, Jordan Bos, Riley McGree, Aiden O’Neill, Jackson Irvine, Craig Goodwin, Mitchell Duke, and Martin Boyle.

The India vs Australia AFC Asian Cup match is scheduled to take place on January 13, 2024, at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha. The live telecast of the match will be available on Sports 18 HD/SD channel, and it will be live-streamed on the Jiocinema app in India.