Group B action in the Asian Cup 2023 gets underway when Australia and India face-off at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar.
The Socceroos notably won it all in 2015, while this will be just India’s fifth appearance in the tournament.
These sides have only played each other in the Asian Cup once before, with Australia emerging as 4-0 victors in 2011.
Could we see a similar results three editions later?
The Sporting News will follow all the action below, providing commentary, analysis and highlights.
Watch every match of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 only on Paramount+
Socceroos vs. India live score
Match started at 2:30 pm local / 10:30 pm AEDT.
| 1H | 2H | Goalscorers | |
| Australia | 0 | 1 | Irvine (50′) |
| India | 0 | 0 | – |
Socceroos vs. India: Live updates, highlights from Asian Cup
54th min: Chance! Australia definitely ate their oranges at half-time… They are moving the ball quickly and with confidence, resulting in a chance for Behich who can’t convert from a tight angle.
50th min: GOAL! The Socceroos make the breakthrough! India’s goalkeeper Singh Sandu doesn’t control the ball and it falls to the feet of Irvine who calmly strikes it home past a pair of defenders. 1-0 Australia.
49th min: Australia definitely looking sharper this half. Their crosses are better and they look far more positive.
SECOND HALF: Here we go… Can India hold on for a point (or more)? Or can Australia finally break their resistance?
HALF-TIME: 0-0. Australia still unable to find a way through a stubborn Indian defence.
The story of the game so far? Australia have had 12 corners but just two shots on target.
India’s game plan will likely be more of the same for the second period, while Socceroos boss Arnold will need to make some changes – tactics, personnel, or both.
45th min: Five minutes of additional time have been signalled.
44th min: India’s star defender Jhingan suffers a head injury as he fights for the ball. He’s been strapped up and has returned to the field, though.
40th min: Chance! Metcalfe heads the ball on target but it deflects off Bose for… another Australian corner.
37th min: More corners for the Socceroos, but they continue to be lacklustre. Hardly getting the height required to create opportunities. India’s defence is holding firm.
31st min: Another sight of goal for Australia, but Boyle blasts his volley over the bar. Tough to convert, but a chance nonetheless.
30th min: Four corners so far and all of them have been taken by Australia. They are in control of this contest but not doing a whole lot with it.
27th min: Goodwin goes for the ‘Olimpico’ from the corner, but India’s shotstopper ensures he doesn’t get caught out.
26th min: India suffocating Australia in midfield at the moment. The Socceroos are struggling to string more than a few passes together.
21st min: Chance! India panic at the back and goalkeeper Singh Sandu loses his feet. Goodwin fails to take advantage of an open net from distance, before the ball ricochets around the box and stays out of the net despite a couple of powerful strikes.
15th min: Another warning for the Socceroos… Chhetri gets his head on a cross but guides it wide.
10th min: It appears India are setting very deep when defending. They nearly get caught out from an Australian free-kick, with Duke narrowly missing a header as he takes advantage of their static defensive line.
8th min: India are finding some success down the left-hand side, whipping in another teasing cross but failing to connect.
6th min: Behich finds himself in acres of space but fires wide from outside the box. Australia beginning to take control of this one as India sit deep.
3rd min: India with the brighter start but not clear-cut chances yet. Plenty of volume from their fans in the stadium, too.
KICKOFF: We’re underway in Qatar!
15 mins to kickoff: A quick word on Indian forward and captain Sunil Chhetri, who is a true international footballing force. The 39-year-old has scored 93 goals in 145 matches for India since his debut in 2005. Even in the twilight of his career, he is his still the star of his national side.
30 mins to kickoff: The crowd is expected to be quite India-heavy, with fans of the Blue Tigers flocking to Qatar for the tournament. Should be a very exciting atmosphere for the Group B opener.
🇮🇳 India fans unite ahead of the Blue Tigers’ #AsianCup2023 opener against the Socceroos! #HayyaAsia | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/iPtlhJqxcz
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) January 13, 2024
45 mins to kickoff: It’s worth noting that despite this match taking place in Qatar, Australia should feel fairly comfortable. The Socceroos have played several qualification and friendly games in the Middle East in recent years and have had relative success. The venue itself – Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium – was also the location of their Round of 16 match against Argentina in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they nearly snatched a late result against eventual champions Argentina.
1 hour to kickoff: Teams are in! Australia’s star goalkeeper Maty Ryan has been deemed fit and will start for Australia for the first time since suffering a facial injury. Gethin Jones will also make his competitive debut for the Socceroos at right-back.
📋 Your #Socceroos Starting XI for our #AsianCup2023 opener!
🇦🇺 v 🇮🇳 – 13.1.24, 10:30pm AEDT
📱💻📺 Live on Channel10, Paramount+, 10 Play#AUSvIND #DifferentBreed pic.twitter.com/ga61d5t2zp— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) January 13, 2024
No major surprises in India’s starting XI with top goalscorer Sunil Chhetri to lead the line.
The 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐀 line-up for #AUSvIND in the #AsianCup2023 🇮🇳
WATCH 💻 @Sports18 & @JioCinema#BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/geph5eK3fU
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) January 13, 2024
1.5 hours to kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ live blog for the opening match of Group B. The Socceroos are heavy favourites coming into this clash, so will they be able to get their Asian Cup campaign off to the perfect start?
Socceroos vs. India: Confirmed lineups, team news for Asian Cup match
Graham Arnold has named a strong starting XI for Australia’s opening match of the tournament.
Watch every match of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 only on Paramount+
Maty Ryan gets the nod between the sticks, featuring for the first time since suffering a facial injury for his club side. At left-back, the experienced Aziz Behich has been selected over Jordan Bos, while Baccus comes back into the side after being left out of the friendly against Bahrain. Gethin Jones also makes his competitive debut for the Socceroos.
Australia confirmed lineup vs. India (4-2-3-1): 1. Ryan (GK) – 25. Jones, 19. Souttar, 4. Rowles, 16. Behich – 17. Baccus, 22. Irvine – 6. Boyle 8. Metcalfe, 23. Goodwin – 15. Duke
As for India, they will be lead by their nation’s top goalscorer Sunil Chhetri. They will also be relying on two Indian Super League stars to step up – defender Sandesh Jhingan and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
India confirmed lineup vs. Australia (4-3-3): 1. Singh Sandu (GK) – 21. Poojari, 5. Jhingan, 2. Bheke, 3. Bose – 25. Tangri, 19. Ralte, 8. Wangjam – 9. Singh, 11. Chhetri, 17. Chhangte
How to watch Socceroos vs India: TV channel, live stream for Asian Cup
The opening match of Group B is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, January 13 at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, which is a 10:30 pm AEDT kick off.
Australia know the stadium well – it is the venue where their Round of 16 World Cup clash against Argentina took place.
Australia: Paramount+ will provide streaming services for the tournament and 10 Play will broadcast Australia’s matches.
India: Streaming service FanCode is the place to go for AFC Asian Cup matches.
USA: AFC Asian Cup matches will be available for live streaming via Paramount+ and Fubo.
UK: Asian Cup matches will be shown on subscription streaming service TrillerTV.