The eagerly anticipated AFC Asian Cup 2023 is slated to commence on January 12 in Qatar, featuring an expanded tournament format of 24 teams. Serving as the defending champions and hosts, Qatar, well-prepared after successfully hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, is ready to showcase the continental football spectacle.
Originally designated to China, the hosting rights were shifted to Qatar due to the ongoing challenges posed by Covid-19. To avoid the scorching summer temperatures in Qatar, the tournament dates were rescheduled to take place from January 12 to February 10, 2024.
In Group B, teams including Australia (AFC rank 4), Uzbekistan (AFC rank 9), Syria (AFC rank 14), and India (AFC rank 18) will compete for advancement in the tournament.
The squads for Group B are as follows:
– Australia: Mat Ryan, Joe Gauci, Lawrence Thomas, and others.
– Uzbekistan: Utkir Yusupov, Abduvakhid Nematov, Botirali Ergashev, and more.
– Syria: Ibrahim Alma, Ahmad Madanieh, Taha Mousa, and additional players.
– India: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Vishal Kaith, and others.
The Group B fixtures include:
– Australia vs India at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al Rayyan), January 13, 2:30 PM IST.
– Uzbekistan vs Syria at Jassim bin-Hamad Stadium (Al Rayyan), January 13, 8:30 PM IST.
– Syria vs Australia at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium (Al Rayyan), January 18, 2:30 PM IST.
– India vs Uzbekistan at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al Rayyan), January 18, 5:30 PM IST.
– Australia vs Uzbekistan at Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah), January 23, 2:30 PM IST.
– Syria vs India at Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor), January 23, 2:30 PM IST.