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Former champions Australia are raring to go in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 and are single-minded in their desire to regain the trophy they won in 2015.
Head coach Graham Arnold has a fully fit squad to select from, including experienced goalkeeper Mathew Ryan who has recovered from an injury as they look to kick off their Group B campaign on a winning note against India on Saturday.
“Finally it’s happening,” said Arnold. “It’s been a long time preparing the squad to be ready for this. Obviously we had great experience so far in Qatar and we’re excited to get the competition started tomorrow.
“Most important thing is that we focus on ourselves. Everyone is fit and ready to play. We know what India can do, they’ve got some technically good players.”
“There’s only one thing to believe in and that is to win it. That is the message to the players and staff. We’ve come here to win the Asian Cup, probably the only major tournament that we can win.
“We are familiar with the place, having been here for the World Cup and the qualifiers during COVID times. We have to reach for the stars and we have to do that from the start.”
Australia will go into the tournament on the back of a four-match winning run, scoring 13 goals and conceding none, and will be looking to avoid starting on the back foot like they did in UAE 2019 when they lost their opening group game against Jordan.
The two sides faced each other in their opening group encounter in the 2011 edition where Australia came away 4-0 winners but India head coach Igor Stimac knows where he needs to stop the Socceroos from having too much freedom.
“We don’t want to give away set-pieces,” said Stimac. “They play very pragmatic football, relying on their strength by putting crosses and executing it well.
“We have to stop distribution to the flanks and if that is not possible, we have to stop the ball in the box.”
Facing Australia would not have been an easy task any day but has been made more difficult by the loss of key players in Ashique Kuruniyan, Anwar Ali and Jeakson Singh, who all possess the physical attributes that could counter Australia’s aerial abilities.
“We lost a key part of our quality in four players who are not only first team but ones that gave us physicality. Not having those players is a loss but on the other hand, it’s a chance for others to show that they can represent India at such a high level.”
India’s game against Australia will kick off at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday, January 13, 2024, from 5pm IST and will be broadcast live on Sports 18, and streamed live on Jio Cinema.
The #AFC #AsianCup2023 kicks off in #Qatar later today.
The #indianFootball NT start their campaign tomorrow against the mighty #Socceroos from #Australia.
What are you all expecting from the #BlueTigers?
My wish is that we give it our best and then see the end result…
— Arunava Chaudhuri | arunfoot (@Arunfoot) January 12, 2024
