DOHA: Graham Arnold warned his Australia team that they must be better despite launching their Asian Cup title charge with an ultimately comfortable 2-0 win over India on Saturday.

In front of a vocal pro-Indian crowd of 36,253 at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha, Australia made hard work of the first half, squandering a few decent chances while the underdogs defended raggedly and eyed opportunities on the break.

Jackson Irvine opened the scoring just after the restart, the moustachioed midfielder driving home from 10 yards after India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu came for a cross only to flap it back into the danger zone.

And 2015 Asian champions Australia were in full control from then on, as Indian legs tired and Arnold took advantage of the depth in his squad.

Jordan Bos deservedly doubled Australia’s advantage shortly after the 70th minute.

A matter of seconds after coming off the bench, the 21-year-old slotted home from six yards after fellow substitute Riley McGree fizzed the ball hard and low across the box from the byline.

A mostly unremarkable contest offered one moment of regional football history, as Japan’s Yoshimi Yamashita became the first woman to referee at an Asian Cup.

Australia were among the pre-tournament favourites but Arnold said there was room for improvement ahead of their next Group ‘B’ match, against Syria.

The Socceroos coach was especially disappointed with their set pieces, which a physically imposing Australia have made a trademark threat.

“I can honestly say that we have got to improve a lot more than that,” said Arnold, who took Australia to the knockout phase of the World Cup in Qatar, where they lost 2-1 to eventual champions Argentina. “One disappointment was set pieces... it’s something we need to improve on, and we will.”

Later, China opened their campaign with a 0-0 draw against debutants Tajikistan, heaping more embarrassment on a country rocked by a football graft scandal at home.

Finalists in 2004, China were largely outplayed by the 106th-ranked team in the world but were left fuming after a late header from Zhu Chenjie was ruled out for offside following a VAR intervention.

The game in Doha took place just days after former China coach Li Tie appeared on national television to confess he paid bribes to get the job and was involved in match-fixing.

The former Everton midfielder’s confession was part of a crackdown on football corruption that triggered the downfall of at least 10 senior Chinese Football Association officials.

Hosts and defending champions Qatar beat Lebanon 3-0 on Friday in the opening game in Group ‘A’ with a brace from their prized playmaker Akram Afif and a goal from Almoez Ali.

Following a glitzy opening ceremony with Qatar’s ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani also in attendance at the Lusail Stadium, , where a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina beat France on penalties in the World Cup final 13 months ago, Afif put on a show of his own to kickstart their campaign with three valuable points in the bag.

“Akram was named the most valuable player of the match, he’s a very high-quality player and he deserves that,” Qatar coach Marquez Lopez told reporters. “I was very happy with the match and how we delivered on our own pitch, the players gave 200% of what was required.”

Qatar suffered a disastrous 2022 World Cup on the pitch, making a first-round exit after losing all three games, the worst performance by a host in the history of the competition.

But Afif said they were ready to make a fresh start at the Asian Cup, five years after they won the continental title for the first time.

“It was disappointing but we are proud that we played at the World Cup,” said the forward. “We have forgotten about the World Cup, we have forgotten about 2019 — we are living today in a new day. Every day is a chance to compete and to fight for a chance to hold the cup.”

Qatar stunned Japan in the 2019 final in the United Arab Emirates, lifting the trophy after winning every game they played at the tournament.

They went into this year’s competition only one month after changing their coach, with Marquez replacing Carlos Queiroz.

Everything clicked into place against Lebanon, with Afif rifling in a shot on the stroke of half-time to put them ahead.

Ali scored nine goals in the 2019 tournament and he picked up where he left off when he doubled Qatar’s lead 11 minutes after the restart, heading home a delightful cross from Mohammed Waad on the flank.

Afif sealed the victory in stoppage time when he pounced on a botched clearance and easily accelerated past a tiring Lebanon defence before applying a calm finish to make it 3-0.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2024