AFC Asian Cup 2023: India’s spirited first half performance goes in vain as Australia win 2-0

A resolute first-half defensive performance from India went in vain as Australia secured a 2-0 win in the Group B encounter in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 on January 13, Saturday.

Jackson Ervine and Jordan Bos were the heroes for the Socceroos on the day as the No.25 ranked side in the world struggled to find any luck in penetrating the Indian goal in the first half.

Sunil Chhetri was forced to rue his big miss on the day as Australia would secure the win in the second 45 minutes, in a game that was quite literally a tale of two halves.

Resolute India frustrate Australia in the first half
The Indian team started off with great balance and maintained their shape in defence. Chhangte had whipped in a dangerous ball in the early moments of the game, which just missed the head of the Indian skipper.

Australia would slowly regain control of the game but India would be effective with their turnovers to keep the Socceroos on their toes.

The first big chance of the match would fall to India in the 16th minute and their iconic skipper, Chhetri. The talismanic forward made a fine run into the box as the Australian defence went asleep. But his header was well wide and didn’t trouble Mat Ryan in goal.

Gurpreet would then make a hash of a clearance which almost allowed the Socceroos to take the lead in the 21st minute. The Indian goalkeeper would recover to save the shot from the resultant shot from Metcalfe and Poojary would ensure Goodwin didn’t create any further trouble.

The Australians were piling the pressure on the Indian defence but the Blue Tigers seemed to be resolute and were clearing the danger in their own box. Despite Graham Arnold’s team trying their best to cause trouble in the Indian box, the defenders were up to the task and ensured the score was 0-0 as we went into half-time.

Australia delivers the knockout punch in the second half
The second half started much like how the first one finished, with Australia continuing to apply pressure. It would ultimately pay off in the 50th minute as Gurpreet failed to parry a ball into the box properly and it fell to the feet of Ervine, who slotted it home to give the Socceroos the lead in the contest.

Behich would have a chance to make it 2-0 five minutes later, but Subhasish made a good block to prevent the shot from finding the back of the net.

Chances were at a premium for India throughout the game as the Australian defence were always there to nip any attack at the bud itself. However, there was some panic in the 69th minute as a strong challenge from Apuia had the ball almost go past Ryan in goal. However, the Australian goalkeeper would recover to ensure there wasn’t any trouble.

Australia would then double their through Bos, who came on as a substitute in the second half. It was another substitute, McGree, who setup the goal with a fine run from the right. He would deliver delicious ball into the box, which was slotted in by Bos.

Gurpreet was called into action in the 82nd minute to keep things at 2-0 as he put in a fine save to parry away a free-kick from Fornaroli. Bos would almost have his second and Australia’s third as the Indian defence was cut open and the shot went just wide.

Six minutes were added on as stoppage but India struggled to create any good chances in the end and had to settle for the loss.

The Blue Tigers will face Uzbekistan in their second match of the campaign on January 18.