Sahal Samad, however, believes India have what it takes to stop the Socceroos when they meet for the first time since their 4-0 defeat in the 2011 edition.

“I am very excited to kick off what has been a great year of preparation since we last played here since the 2022 FIFA World Cup. We are ready to perform in Qatar, having been through this before, I can’t wait to get started,” said Irvine.

“Our focus is primarily on team shape and structure rather than individual players. Every player possesses attacking qualities and the ability to press aggressively, and we’ve been working on capitalising on these strengths.

“The transition over the years has been seamless. Players like Harry Souttar, Aziz Behich, and myself have been around the longest, and others have stepped up to take on leadership roles. The team has improved significantly, with players like Mitch Duke showing growth and maturity. As a squad, we are stronger.

“Facing a big and energetic crowd is not a disadvantage for us; we are accustomed to playing in such environments. Our players thrive in these situations, and the fans will undoubtedly create a fantastic atmosphere for us to play our style of football,” said the midfielder who plays for German club FC St. Pauli.

Injuries to defensive midfielder Jeakson Singh and centre-back Anwar Ali have weakened India’s squad strength but Samad believes the South Asian side have enough quality to challenge Australia.

“We’re all set and buzzing with excitement. Following a couple of intense sessions in Doha, it’s time to sharpen our focus on the game ahead. Mental preparation becomes paramount as we prepare to showcase our prowess on the field,” said midfielder Sahal.

“We are eager to kickstart our campaign despite facing a few setbacks. We firmly believe in our ability to overcome challenges and deliver a string of stellar performances throughout the tournament. The team is united, determined and ready to make our mark.”