DOHA: Australia kicked off their Asian Cup campaign with a commanding 2-0 victory against India on Saturday. In a match held at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha, Jackson Irvine and Jordan Bos found the net from close range, setting the tone for Australia’s title bid in the tournament.
Despite facing a noisily pro-Indian crowd, Australia initially encountered some challenges in the first half, missing several decent opportunities while India defended with resilience, looking for chances to counter-attack.
The breakthrough for Australia came just after halftime when Jackson Irvine capitalized on a goalkeeper error. The midfielder, known for his distinctive mustache, drove home from 10 yards after India’s goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu failed to handle a cross effectively, leaving the ball in a dangerous position.
Australia’s Dominance over India
From that point on, the 2015 Asian Cup champions dominated the game, taking advantage of India’s fatiguing legs. Coach Graham Arnold utilized the depth of his squad, and Jordan Bos, who came off the bench, secured Australia’s second goal shortly after the 70th minute.
Bos, a 21-year-old, wasted no time, slotting home from six yards after a well-delivered ball from fellow substitute Riley McGree. Despite a late attempt that saw Bos missing a chance to extend the lead, Australia secured a comfortable win in their opening match.
While the game itself was mostly unremarkable, it witnessed a historic moment for regional football, with Japan’s Yoshimi Yamashita becoming the first woman to referee at an Asian Cup.
The enthusiastic Indian fans, part of the 36,253-strong official attendance, maintained their spirited support throughout the match. In a host country with a significant Indian population, Igor Stimac’s team can anticipate fervent backing for all their Group B matches. Up next, India faces Uzbekistan on Thursday, while Australia takes on Syria in their next fixture.
