AFC Asian Cup 2023: India showed 'irresponsibility at times' in defeat to Australia, says Igor Stimac

India manager Igor Stimac expressed disappointment after the football team lost 2-0 to Australia in the AFC Asian Cup on Saturday. India held out defiantly for 50 minutes before conceding the opener and then the second in the 73rd minute with some sloppy football. After a deadlock at half time, a Gurpreet Singh Sandhu error allowed Jackson Irvine to open the scoring for the Socceroos. India’s hopes of getting something out of their first fixture in the AFC Asian Cup were dashed when Jordan Bos squeezed in the second goal. In the aftermath of the loss, Stimac said India were made to pay for their sloppiness and not due to brilliance from Australia. “Both goals came from our sloppy reactions," Stimac said. “These goals didn’t come off Australia’s brilliant display of action, just because of our irresponsibility at certain times." “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,” he added. Australia manager Graham Arnold warned his side need to be better going forward. “I can honestly say that we have got to improve a lot more than that,” said Arnold. “One disappointment was set pieces… it’s something we need to improve on, and we will.” Australia’s goalscorer Irvine said he was “really pleased with the players’ mentality” in chiselling away at stiff early resistance. “They kept pushing, stayed patient, did all the right things and came out in the second half and got the important goals that got us the win,” he said. The loss leaves India with a challenging task ahead with matches against Uzbekistan and Syria in their group. Those two played out a goalless draw. “Now our competition starts. We don’t have time for disappointment. There’s another game in (five) days’ time. So what are we going to do, cry?,” said Stimac.