3 minute read
Graham Arnold's Socceroos have secured their spot at the World Cup in Qatar after a near three-year qualification journey.
Australia's 1000-day journey to the World Cup in Qatar ended on Tuesday with Graham Arnold steering the Socceroos to their fifth consecutive tournament.
MILESTONE GAMES IN QUALIFICATION
10 September 2019 - Kuwait 0-3 Australia
The Socceroos breeze through the second stage of World Cup qualification beginning with a thumping of Kuwait. They topped their group and didn't drop a single point, going eight games unbeaten.
2 September 2021 - Australia 3-0 China
The Socceroos defeat China in Qatar to kickstart the third stage of the qualification phase. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic they are forced to play "home" games in the Middle East.
12 October 2021 - Japan 2-1 Australia
Australia's winning streak is brought to an end in Saitama after an Aziz Behich own goal late on. The Socceroos remain top of their group despite the defeat in Japan.
11 November 2021 - Australia 0-0 Saudi Arabia
The Socceroos play their first game at home in the post-pandemic world. They looked dysfunctional in front of a big crowd in Sydney and the draw is compounded by the loss of key centre back Harry Souttar to injury late knee injury.
24 March 2022 - Australia 0-2 Japan
Needing to win to keep their chances of automatic qualification alive, Australia fail to fire on home soil with Japan joining Saudi Arabia in advancing straight to Qatar. Australia finish third and are sent on the intercontinental play-off route. Despite their poor run of form, Arnold is given support to carry on the job.
7 June 2022 - UAE 1-2 Australia
In the first inter-continental play-off Australia struggle for coherency but get the job done against a similarly lacklustre opponent. A deflected thunderbolt from Ajdin Hrustic proves the difference.
14 June 2022 - Australia 0-0 (AET, 5-4 pens) Peru
Arguably the stronger of the two sides over 120 minutes, Australia claim victory after a penalty shootout. Arnold gambles by replacing goalkeeper and captain Maty Ryan with Andrew Redmayne in the last minute of extra-time. Martin Boyle missed Australia's first spot-kick but Redmayne's heroics secure passage to the World Cup.
WHO'S UP NEXT
Australia will take on some familiar faces at this year's World Cup. Reigning champions France and Denmark were in the Socceroos' group in Russia in 2018 and will be once again. Tunisia are the other side in Group D. They have already locked in friendly games with New Zealand in September as part of their preparation for the tournament.
22 November v France
26 November v Tunisia
30 November v Denmark
