'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Wishes came pouring in for the Indian Men's Football Team ahead of their 2023 AFC Asian Cup opening fixture against Australia. The quadrennial continental showpiece event kicked off on Friday, January 12, 2024, in Lusail with the hosts Qatar defeating Lebanon 3-0 in a Group A encounter.
India began their campaign on Saturday when they faced the 2015 Asian champions, Australia at Al Rayyan's Ahmed bin Ali Stadium. Although they put in a valiant effort, earning plaudits for their performance against a higher-ranked nation, Australia snatched away a 2-0 victory.
The Blue Tigers will be looking to maintain their confidence and determination going into the next two group matches. They need to have positive results to have any chances of making it to the knockouts.
Next up, Igor Stimac's men will be facing Uzbekistan on January 18 at the same venue before moving on to Al Khor for their last group match against Syria, to be played five days later.
Without much ado, let us now look at the encouragement given to the Indian team ahead of their 2023 AFC Asian Cup journey from fans and celebrities alike.
Those who wished the Blue Tigers all the best include Indian sporting stars Jemimah Rodrigues and Neeraj Chopra, as well as football stars like Diego Forlan and Nicolas Anelka. Several Indian clubs also joined the supporting bandwagon for the Indian team.
24 Teams will be vying to become Kings of Asia
The 2023 AFC Asian Cup is the 18th edition of the prestigious tournament comprising 24 teams with the matches being played across nine venues in five host cities.
The grand finale is scheduled on February 10 at the colossal Lusail Stadium that hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup final between France and Argentina.
Having already claimed a victory in the opening game, defending champion Qatar will be looking to extend their winning run in the tournament. Australia, though, will be a tough team to stop in their title defence.
