India vs China, Asian Games 2023: How to watch the thrilling football clash live on TV and online

New Delhi: The Indian men’s football team will face a tough challenge when they take on hosts China in their opening match of the Asian Games 2023 on Tuesday. The match will be a crucial one for both teams as they aim to start their campaign on a positive note and secure a spot in the knockout stage.
India, who are participating in the football event of the Asian Games for the first time since 2014, have been placed in a tricky Group A along with China, Bangladesh and Myanmar. India will need to finish among the top two teams in their group to qualify for the quarter-finals.
India have a young and inexperienced squad, with only four players having more than 10 international caps. The team also had a chaotic preparation for the tournament, as they were able to finalise their squad only on Friday and left for China on Sunday, leaving no time for training or acclimatisation.
India will also miss the services of their star players Sunil Chhetri and Sandesh Jhingan, who have been rested for the opening match by head coach Igor Stimac. Stimac said he wanted to save them for the later matches and give a chance to the younger players to prove themselves.
China, on the other hand, have a strong and experienced squad, with most of their players featuring in the Chinese Super League. China are also playing at home and will have the advantage of crowd support and familiar conditions.
China are one of the favourites to win the gold medal in football, as they have won it twice before in 1986 and 1994. China are also ranked 77th in the FIFA rankings, while India are ranked 105th.
The match between India and China will be a high-octane affair, as both teams have a history of rivalry and animosity. The last time they met was in 2018, when they played out a goalless draw in a friendly match in Suzhou.
The match will also be a test of nerves and skills for both teams, as they will look to overcome the pressure and expectations of their fans and nations.
The match will kick off at 5 pm IST (7.30 pm local time) at the Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China. The match will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network and live streaming will be available on SonyLIV . You can also follow the live updates and commentary on India.com, Hindustan Times, Firstpost and other websites.