AFC Asian Cup: India lose 2-0 to Australia in opening tie

India on Saturday started their AFC Asian Cup campaign with a 2-0 loss against Australia. Sunil Chhetri and co started the game brightly, keeping the Socceroos at bay till half-time but goals from Jackson Alexander Irvine and Jordan Jacob Bos tilted the game in Australia’s favour. The social media was abuzz with disappointment after the match, with many users ruing the missed chances by India.

Indian defenders had a very good first half in the game, constantly nullifying the threat of Australia. India defenders intercepted and cleared innumerable Australian chances as Chhetri’s team went into the dugout at half time with the score 0-0.

However, Australia scored right after the break to break the Indian hearts. Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu pushed an Australian cross into the path of Irvine who made no mistake in slotting it past two Indian defenders in the goal line. Substitute Bos added a second in the 72nd minute to put the game beyond India’s reach.