Australia beat India as woman referee makes Asian history

Australia on Saturday relied on two strikes in the second half to beat a spirited India 2-0 in their opening AFC Asian Cup 2023 clash at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.

In the same clash, Japanese referee Yoshimi Yamashita made history as she became the first woman to officiate in an AFC Asian Cup match. Yamashita was assisted by two lineswomen - Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi - in the match watched by a pro-Indian crowd of 36,253.

At a packed Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, captain Jackson Irvine made the most of India keeper's gaffe by Gurpreet Singh in the 50th minute for Australia's first goal.

Substitute Jordan Bos sealed India's fate with a slick goal in the 73rd minute as Graham Arnold-coached Aussies - ranked 25 on the FIFA computer - picked up three points.

Coach Arnold didn't seem impressed with his team's 2-0 win. He said Saturday: "The excitement of the first game (of the Asian Cup) got to the players in the first half. At halftime, we discussed where we could hurt India and calmed them down. We told them, 'Just be patient and it will come'."

India coach Igor Stimac said Saturday: "Very difficult match for us with the physicality of Australia, we suffered from their corners. We couldn't get out of the zone and were unable to make that second pass to move past the half line... Australia are more experienced, they read situations better."

This was the second meeting between the two sides in AFC Asian Cup history since the 2011 edition when Australia won 4-0.

In other matches Saturday, China were held to a goalless draw by Tajikistan at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium while Uzbekistan and Syria also failed to find the net in a 0-0 draw at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.

The 24-team tournament continues with three matches Sunday.