The participating teams for the Asian Cup 2023 have begun to arrive in Doha for the tournament which is set to take place in Qatar from January 12 until February 10.
The Indian national team, marking its fifth finals appearance, was among the first to touch down at Hamad Airport in the Qatari capital last Friday.
India is set to compete in Group A alongside Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria.
The Indian squad will kick off their continental campaign against the 2015 champions Australia on January 12, followed by a match against Uzbekistan on January 17. They will round off their group stage with a game against Syria on January 23.
Following the "Blue Tigers," the Saudi Arabian national team, also known as "The Green Falcons," arrived on Sunday in Doha to participate in a training camp that includes three friendly matches:
- Saudi Arabia vs. Lebanon on January 4
- Saudi Arabia vs. Palestine on January 9
- Saudi Arabia vs. Hong Kong on January 10
The Saudi team, which has already commenced its training sessions, will vie in the finals within Group B, alongside the teams from Oman, Kyrgyzstan, and Thailand.
Saudi Arabia's Group Stage Matches
- January 16: Saudi Arabia vs. Oman (Khalifa International Stadium)
- January 21: Saudi Arabia vs. Kyrgyzstan (Khalifa International Stadium)
- January 25: Saudi Arabia vs. Thailand (Education City Stadium)
The Malaysian team also arrived on Monday, marking its fourth appearance in the Asian Cup finals.
Malaysia, referred to as the "The Harimau Malaya," will play in Group C which includes South Korea, Jordan, and Bahrain.
Malaysia's Group Stage Matches:
- January 15: Malaysia vs. Jordan (Al Janoub Stadium)
- January 20: Bahrain vs. Malaysia (Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium)
- January 25: South Korea vs. Malaysia (Al Janoub Stadium)
As the teams begin to arrive and gear up for the Asian Cup 2023, anticipation builds for what promises to be a showcase of footballing talent from across the continent.
