Australia vs India AFC Asian Cup 2024: The Blue Tigers start the campaign with a disappointing 2-0 loss against Australia

India's defensive performance in the first half was canceled out by Australia as they started their AFC Asian Cup 2024 campaign with a 2-0 win at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Saturday. Jackson Irvine scored in the 50th minute and super-sub Jordan Bos scored his maiden international goal in the 73rd minute get the job done for Australia.

Also Read: AFC Asian Cup 2024: Australia vs India Highlights | India starts their campaign with a disappointing loss after Irvine and Bos score for Australia in their 2-0 victory

The match remained all square till half-time but the Indian defence was tested time and time again. Sandesh Jhingan played a crucial part in keeping the scores level. He also sustained a head injury but kept fighting until the very end.

Indian defensive excellence was the highlight of the first half as everyone expected that Australia will always play with the attacking mindset. Sunil Chhetri was the isolated figure in the Indian setup as the Blue Tigers were seen defending for most of the time.

After the resumption in the second half, Australia looked desperate to get the lead. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu tried to push away Martin Boyle's cross from the right, but the ball fell to the Aussie midfielder, Irvine who controlled it beautifully and then unleashed a perfect finish.

Coach Graham Arnold then brought Jordan Bos in the place of Craig Goodwin and it worked perfectly in favour of Australia. Bos, who usually plays as a left-back was deployed as a left-winger, and he showed his potential. When Riley McGree's cross from the right arrived, he made no mistake to tap it home. He bullied Nikhil Poojary and tucked the ball home within one minute of being subbed on.

India ticked a lot of boxes in the defensive department, keeping a solid mid-block, and, at times, pressing with three players against an opponent with the ball, when out of possession.

India's best chance came in the 16th minute when Poojary beat his marker to provide a beautiful cross for Sunil Chhetri. Chhetri's flying header went just off-target. It could have been a huge moment but unfortunately, it didn't go in.

Stimac's side was rock solid in the first half but couldn't do the same in the second half. India will face Uzbekistan five days later in their second game of the campaign. Meanwhile, Australia would like to continue its run against Syria, on January 18.