Lallianzuala Chhangte is expected to be a key cog in the final third for India as they face Australia in their AFC Asian Cup opener.
Football extravaganza is back in the continent as the AFC Asian Cup 2023 will begin on Friday, in Lusail, Qatar. Hosts Qatar will face Group A opponents Lebanon in the opener and it promises to be an exciting encounter. For Indian football fans, Sunil Chhetri and Co. will kick-off their campaign on Saturday in what is being touted as a David vs Goliath clash.
Igor Stimac’s men will take on heavyweights Australia, a team praised by Lionel Messi during Argentina’s victorious 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign. The Socceroos came up against them in the World Cup’s Round of 16 fixture and it turned out to be a tantalising encounter. Despite conceding a 2-0 lead, courtesy of goals from Messi and Julian Alvarez, Australia made the match go down the wire. Craig Goodwin made it 1-2 in the 77th-minute, and it was a nervy final few minutes for the South American nation. (HT)