India start as clear underdogs against formidable Australia in AFC Asian Cup opener

AFC Asian Cup: Securing a knockout round berth looks difficult but not impossible as the Indian football team takes on title contenders Australia in its opening group match of the AFC Asian Cup in Al Rayyan on January 13.

Securing a knockout round berth looks difficult but not impossible as the Indian football team takes on title contenders Australia in its opening group match of the AFC Asian Cup in Al Rayyan on January 13.

Eliminated in the group stage in their last two appearances in 2011 and 2019, India face an uphill task this time also, as they have been clubbed with Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria in Group B.

India's hopes of making it to the round of 16 in the continental showpiece depends on the outcome of the match against Syria on January 23 as Australia and Uzbekistan (January 18) are way ahead of them in terms of quality.

A win against Syria can put India in the third place in the group, offering a chance for a knock-out round berth. The top two teams from each group, along with four best third-placed sides from across six groups, progress to the knockout round of 16.

Head coach Igor Stimac and captain Sunil Chhetri have already hinted that Australia (25th in FIFA ranking) and Uzbekistan (68th) -- the favourites to take the top two spots in the group -- are possibly out of reach for India.

India had beaten Syria in the past — in the 2007 and 2009 Nehru Cup tournaments — and that provides a ray of hope for the Chhetri-led team, ranked 102 in the world.

A knockout round berth will be a huge achievement for India, who are making their fifth appearance in the Asian Cup, after coming close in the last edition in 2019, and especially for Chhetri, who will be playing for the last time in the prestigious tournament.