Spirited India lost to Australia 0-2 in their opening Group B match of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Saturday.
India shown remarkable grit and determination in the first half to keep Australia at bay.
However, in 50′, experienced goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu failed to grab a cross from Martin Boyle which gave Jackson Irvine the opportunity to put the ball into the nets and give the Socceroos the lead. Jordan Bos in 73′ extended the lead.
Australia who are ranked 25th didn’t expected a tough fight from 102nd ranked Blue Tigers.
India will play their next match in Group B against Uzbekistan on January 18 at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
India XI: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose (Liston Colaco, 74), Lalengmawia Apuia, Deepak Tangri (Anirudh Thapa, 78), Suresh Singh Wangjam (Akash Mishra, 74), Manvir Singh, Sunil Chhetri (Naorem Mahesh Singh, 89), Lallianzuala Chhangte (Vikram Pratap Singh, 89).
Picture Courtesy: AIFF Media
