Socceroos to play Uzbekistan, Syria, India in Asian Cup

Anna Harrington
May 11, 2023, updated May 11, 2023

Graham Arnold's Socceroos have a challenging pool draw for next year's Asian Cup in Qatar. Photo: AAP

The Socceroos will face Uzbekistan, Syria and India in the group stage of next year’s Asian Cup in Qatar in their bid for a second title.

In a testing path to the knockout stage, Graham Arnold’s charges will face two familiar foes in world No.74 Uzbekistan and No.90 Syria, with 101st-ranked India the minnows of group B.

The top two teams in each of the six groups progress to the round of 16, along with the four best-ranked third-placed finishers.

Arnold, who was at Thursday’s draw in Qatar with Football Australia chief executive James Johnson, will also eye redemption for a nightmare 2019 tournament, when the Socceroos, who were defending champions from 2015, flopped badly.

Four years ago, Australia barely sealed automatic qualification from their group, scraped through the round of 16 against Uzbekistan on penalties and were knocked out by the United Arab Emirates in the quarter-finals.

Tweet from @Socceroos

World No.29 Australia last played Uzbekistan in the round of 16 in 2019, when they drew 0-0 but ultimately progressed via a penalty shootout.

The Socceroos have had several tense matches against Syria.

Australia won its group stage match 3-2 in the 2019 Asian Cup but their best-remembered fixtures were the qualifying play-offs for the 2018 World Cup under Ange Postecoglou.

The Socceroos drew 1-1 away before Tim Cahill’s heroic brace sealed progression via a dramatic 2-1 win at home.

Australia beat India 4-0 at their most recent meeting, in the 2011 Asian Cup.

The Asian Cup was originally due to be held in China this year but was moved amid the country’s tight COVID-19 policies.

Qatar won hosting rights for the rescheduled Cup and the tournament will instead be held from January 12 until February 10 next year.

Cahill was among the assistants involved in conducting the draw.