Socceroos skipper Mat Ryan has been brought back into the starting lineup but there was no such luck for Riley McGree as Australia take on India in their Asian Cup opener.
Both players did not take part in the warm-up friendly against Bahrain but the duo were passed fit for the India clash.
Follow all the action from the Socceroos’ Asian Cup clash against India in our LIVE BLOG below!
However, Ryan earned a start while McGree was left to make do with a spot on the bench.
Elsewhere across the team, Martin Boyle finally gets to represent Australia in an international competition after injury robbed him of appearances at the 2019 Asian Cup and the 2022 World Cup.
There’s also a competitive debut for Bolton Wanderers defender Gethin Jones, who slots in at right back.
Arnold also went with the familiar trio of Jackson Irvine, Keanu Baccus and Connor Metcalfe in midfield.
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The Aussies will look to avoid a similar start to this edition of the Asian Cup after a disastrous start in the last time they competed in the continental competition.
The Socceroos slipped to a shock 1-0 loss against Jordan five years ago but thankfully rebounded with wins against Palestine and Syria to seal a spot in the knockout stages.
Although India may be ranked 77 places below the Socceroos in 102nd, they will likely look to sit deep and stunt the Aussie forwards.
The ability to break down India’s low block will also be of great interest to Aussie fans given the Socceroos’ struggles over the years to unlock deep backlines.
TEAM NEWS
Australia: Ryan (c); Behich, Rowles, Souttar, Jones; Baccus, Irvine, Metcalfe; Goodwin, Duke, Boyle
India: Gurpreet, Rahul, Subhasish, Jhingan, Suresh, Manvir, Chhetri (c), LZ Chhangte, Apuia, Poojary, Tangri
AUSTRALIA V INDIA
WHEN: Saturday, 10.30pm (AEDT)
WHERE: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (Qatar)
Follow all the action from the Socceroos’ Asian Cup clash against India in our LIVE BLOG below!
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