India, for the first time in the history of the competition, have qualified for back-to-back editions. Carrying a generation of players that grew up when India qualifying for the continental tournament was not a usual sight, this set of players will set out to make that right, as they look to not only normalise India\u2019s appearance at the Asian Cup but to also do something that they have never done before \u2013 make the jump to the knockout rounds.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe are excited that the kick-off time is close. We have had a nice 12 days here working hard. All the boys are excited and we are looking forward to the game. Hopefully, it turns out to be wonderful for our 17 debutants. It is a place for them to learn,\" said head coach Igor Stimac.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Blue Tigers enjoy a healthy head-to-head record against the Aussies, having won twice and lost once against the Socceroos, but both victories came almost seven decades ago. The most recent match played between these two sides was also an opening game for the two in the 2011 edition of the AFC Asian Cup, also held in Doha, which ended in a 0-4 loss for India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Stimac stressed the importance of the set pieces, especially against physical opponents like Australia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t have to give away set pieces. We know the strengths of Australia. They play very pragmatic football. They caused a lot of problems to England (in a friendly in October) and we can expect the storms coming out of them. We need to stay compact and do everything possible to stop crosses from the flanks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Stimac was realistic about India\u2019s prospects in the Asian Cup, stating that the most important thing is to play good football.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cOur target is to have a good performance in the next three games as a team and as a country and use the experience from the tournament for the future.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, the India coach shifted all the weight of expectations away from the players, and said that the Blue Tigers are in Doha to embrace the challenges.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I'm not putting any pressure on players. We will go out and fight. It\u2019s going to be a difficult match for us. We all know the strengths of Australia, and their achievements as well. Their players are coming in from European clubs, where they\u2019ve been playing competitive football week in, and week out. It's not easy. But we are here to embrace all such challenges.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India midfielder Sahal Abdul Samad, who was at the pre-match press conference with Stimac in Doha, said, \u201cOur preparations have been very good. We have had some hard and some light training sessions so far, and we\u2019ve prepared well for the game against Australia. We are all really pumped up to give it our best in the game, and we\u2019re hoping for the best.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/01\/afc-asia-cup-blue-tigers-trials-at-top-echelon-begin-with-australia-battle.png", "alt_img": "AFC Asia Cup: Blue Tigers' trials at top echelon begin with Australia battle", "alt_title": "AFC Asia Cup: Blue Tigers' trials at top echelon begin with Australia battle", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "AFC Asia Cup: Blue Tigers' Trials At Top Echelon Begin With Australia Battle On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "AFC Asia Cup: Blue Tigers' Trials At Top Echelon Begin With Australia Battle, The AFC Asian Cup: The AFC Asian Cup is as big as it gets for India at this moment in.", "seo_keywords": "Blue Tigers, The AFC Asian Cup, Ali Stadium, Asian Cup, Igor Stimac, The Blue Tigers, AFC Asian Cup, Sahal Abdul Samad", "tag": "", "tagging": "Blue Tigers, The AFC Asian Cup, Ali Stadium, Asian Cup, Igor Stimac, The Blue Tigers, AFC Asian Cup, Sahal Abdul Samad", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "afc-asia-cup-blue-tigers-trials-at-top-echelon-begin-with-australia-battle", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "508", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "0", "created": "2024-01-13 02:04:03", "updated": "2024-01-13 02:04:03", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Blue Tigers, The AFC Asian Cup, Ali Stadium, Asian Cup, Igor Stimac, The Blue Tigers, AFC Asian Cup, Sahal Abdul Samad", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-01-13 02:04:03", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "0", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "sports_name": "football", "cnmid": "850960", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/sports-news\/afc-asia-cup-blue-tigers-trials-at-top-echelon-begin-with-australia-battle-12104" }