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Socceroos up for hectic return schedule

3 minute read

The Socceroos return to action for the first time in 18 months when they play Kuwait in the first of four World Cup qualifiers - and won't slow down from there.

Sydney FC coach GRAHAM ARNOLD. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

After 567 days without kicking a ball in anger, the Socceroos will return to the international fray with a resounding bang.

Australia's World Cup qualifier against Kuwait, which kicks off at 5am Friday AEST at Jaber Al-Hamad Stadium, starts a run of four games in 13 days in a Kuwait Hub that can seal progression to the third round of qualifying.

"I can't explain it (the feeling of being back). The first session we had five or six players and just to get back on the pitch and get back to what I love doing ... it's just been fantastic," coach Graham Arnold said.

"The boys have got honestly great energy, they can't wait to put on that jersey and do Australia proud."

The Socceroos sit top of group B - two points clear of Kuwait and Jordan with a game in hand, having won their previous four games.

If they beat Kuwait, then Taiwan next Tuesday, they'll effectively seal qualification to the third round.

"We're starting from scratch," Arnold said.

"Yes, we're in a good position at the moment but we're not talking about the past, we're only talking about the present and what's now, and that is Kuwait.

"We have a four-game tournament in (13) days that we have to play, and I expect to win every game and expect to be on top of that group after those four games."

Things won't get any quieter from there.

The third round of qualifying, scheduled to be played between September and March, includes at least another 10 games while the squad's Olyroos will play at least three games at the Tokyo Olympics in July.

Arnold's starting XI against Kuwait will be dominated by players who arrived in camp early with Nikita Rukavytsya and Adam Taggart among those in the 31-man squad who arrived late from their clubs.

With Aaron Mooy (personal reasons) and Tom Rogic (injury) unavailable, Eintracht Frankfurt's Ajdin Hrustic is primed to fill the creative playmaker role, while Fran Karacic will debut.

Karacic, 25, who was plucked from obscurity for the preliminary squad for the 2018 World Cup but didn't make the final cut and hasn't been seen at international level since, will start at right-back due to Rhyan Grant's later arrival from the A-League.

"It's the first time I've met him, first time I've seen him - I wasn't involved last time when he came into camp," Arnold said.

"(He's a) right full-back, playing for Brescia in Serie B in Italy, playing a lot of games of football, and he's impressed me enormously."

Arnold is yet to appoint a permanent captain and said rotating the armband in Kuwait was a possibility.

CONFIRMED SOCCEROOS/OLYROOS DATES (ALL TIMES AEST)

Socceroos: World Cup qualifiers, second round, Kuwait

* Australia v Kuwait, June 4, 5am

* Taiwan v Australia, June 8, 5am

* Nepal v Australia, June 12, 2am

* Australia v Jordan, June 15 (local time - kickoff TBC)

Olyroos: Tokyo Olympics

* Argentina v Australia, July 22

* Australia v Spain, July 25

* Australia v Egypt, July 28