Australia tops Group B standings in the 2023 Asian Cup and secures a place in the Round of 16.
This certainty was achieved after the second match of the Group B phase, which saw Syria play against Australia at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Thursday evening, January 18, 2024 (WIB).
In that match, Australia narrowly defeated Syria with a score of 1-0. The Socceroos' lone goal was scored by Jackson Alexander Irvine in the 59th minute.
With this achievement, Australia has collected 6 points from two matches, securing their position in the Round of 16 of the 2023 Asian Cup.
On the same day, the match between India and Uzbekistan also took place at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium on Thursday, January 18, 2024.
Only four minutes into the game, Uzbekistan had already scored against their opponent thanks to a header from Abbosbek Fayzullaev. Then in the 18th minute, Uzbekistan doubled their lead with a goal from Igor Sergeev after capitalizing on a ball that hit the crossbar.
The White Wolves continued to play aggressively and scored again through Sherzod Nasrullaev in the 45+4th minute. Until the end of the match, India failed to score, and the match ended with a resounding 3-0 victory for Uzbekistan.
This result puts Uzbekistan in second place in the Group B standings with four points from two matches. This achievement also opens up Uzbekistan's chances of joining Australia in the Round of 16 of the 2023 Asian Cup.
Meanwhile, Syria is in third place with one point, and India is at the bottom of the table without any points.
Here are the Group B standings of the 2023 Asian Cup as of January 19, 2024:
* Australia: 6 points
* Uzbekistan: 4 points
* Syria: 1 point
* India: 0 points
Group B matches of the 2023 Asian Cup will continue with Australia vs. Uzbekistan and Syria vs. India on January 23, 2024.
(See also: Top Provisional Scores of the 2023 Asian Cup: Akram Afif at the Top)