Australia football team (Courtesy: AIFF)

The 18th edition of the AFC Asian Cup will get underway at the Lusail Stadium in Doha on January 12. It will be the biggest tournament on the continental stage in Asia.

The AFC Asian Cup started as a four-team tournament in 1958. It expanded to 24 teams in 2019 and will feature in the expanded format in 2024. 24 teams are divided into four teams each in six groups.

The Indian football team will have its task cut out against one-time champion Australia, three-time quarter-finalists Uzbekistan, and underdogs Syria. While it will be a tough challenge for India to reach the knockout stages. We look at some of the key stats of India”s opponents through this article.

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, Group B: Australia, Uzbekistan, Syria

Australia

Team nickname: Socceroos

FIFA ranking: 25

AFC Asian Cup records: 2007 Quarter-finals; 2011 Runners-up; 2015 Champions; 2019 Quarter-finals

Head coach: Graham Arnold (Australia)

India vs Australia head-to-head: 3 matches: India won 2: lost 1

Key Players: Mathew Ryan (goalkeeper), Harry Souttar (defender), Riley McGree (midfielder)

Uzbekistan

Team nickname: White Wolves

FIFA ranking: 68

AFC Asian Cup records: 2004 Quarter-finals; 2007 Quarter-finals; 2011 Fourth place; 2015 Quarter-finals

Head coach: Srecko Katanec (Slovenia)

India vs Uzbekistan head-to-head: 8 matches: India won 1: lost 5: drawn

Key Players: Igor Vladimirovich Sergeyev (forward), Abbosbek Fayzullaev (Midfielder), Oston Urunov (midfielder)

Syria

Team nickname: Eagles of Qasioun

FIFA ranking: 91

AFC Asian Cup records: Six appearances, eliminated in group stage.

Head coach: Hector Cuper (Argentina)

India vs Syria head-to-head: 6 matches: India won 2: Lost 2: Drawn 1

Key Players: Omar Khribin (forward), Ibrahim Alma (goalkeeper), Amro Jeniat (defender)