Zhu Chenjie thought he had headed in an undeserved winner for China with 10 minutes remaining in Doha when he rose to nod in from a corner.

But he and his teammates were left befuddled when VAR disallowed it, ruling former England youth defender Tyias Browning was interfering with play as he lurked on the goal-line in an offside position.

Also in Group A, hosts and defending champions Qatar beat Lebanon 3-0 on Friday in the opening game of the tournament. Next up for China is Lebanon, while Tajikistan face a tough test against the hosts.

In Group B, Australia got their Asian Cup charge off to a good start, swatting aside a spirited India 2-0. India defended stoutly and went into the break level.

But second-half goals from Jackson Irvine and Jordan Bos were enough to seal a match that provided no refereeing controversies for Japan's Yoshimi Yamashita as she became the first woman to officiate at an Asian Cup.

In front of a boisterous pro-Indian crowd, the Socceroos made hard work of the first half. But Irvine opened the scoring just after the restart, the moustachioed midfielder driving home from 10 yards after India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu flapped at a cross.

Bos doubled Australia's advantage shortly after the 70th minute, with the 2015 champions firmly in control. The 21-year-old had only been on the pitch a matter of seconds, having come on as a substitute, when he knocked home Riley McGree's low cross.

Despite the win Australia coach Graham Arnold said his side - considered among the favourites for the tournament - had room for improvement.

"I can honestly say that we have got to improve a lot more than that," said Arnold, who took Australia to the knockout phase of the World Cup in Qatar, where they lost 2-1 to eventual champions Argentina. "One disappointment was set pieces... it's something we need to improve on, and we will."

Australia take on Syria on Thursday, when India face Uzbekistan. Syria and Uzbekistan face off in Saturday's late game.

January 13, 2024

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Jordan Bos

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