The squad is picked, preparations have begun on the bottom and Australia’s 2022 FIFA World Cup destiny awaits in Qatar.
This is Australia’s fifth straight look at worldwide soccer’s showpiece occasion, a exceptional reality contemplating the a long time of ache and near-misses that preceded the Socceroos’ unforgettable qualification for the 2006 finals.
The streak appeared underneath severe risk within the late stage of a protracted and dramatic qualification marketing campaign earlier than the Socceroos squeezed previous Peru on penalties to e-book the final of 32 spots on provide in Qatar. Here’s every thing you must know forward of what guarantees to be an exciting trip.
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Socceroos react to World Cup name up! | 01:21
WHO ARE THE SOCCEROOS PLAYING?
Australia has been drawn in Group D. It’s not precisely the “group of loss of life” however there’s no getting round it — it’s going to be extraordinarily troublesome for the Socceroos to flee it and attain the knockout stage for less than the second time of their historical past.
Group D can also be dwelling to reigning champions France, who’re at the moment rated the world’s fourth finest facet on the FIFA rankings — 34 spots forward of the Socceroos. The French squad options among the greatest names in world soccer in Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, PSG megastar Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann. Their squad additionally options thrilling kids like Aurelien Tchouameni and Arsenal’s William Saliba however huge weapons Paul Pogba and N‘Golo Kante might be lacking by way of harm. See Didier Deschamps’ full 25-man squad right here.
The Socceroos face one other high 10-ranked opponent in Denmark, the clear second favourites to progress from the group and a match darkish horse within the eyes of many. Coach Kasper Hjulmand has up to now named 21 of his 26-man squad and essentially the most notable title to most followers is Christian Eriksen, the Manchester United star who has made an unimaginable comeback from struggling a cardiac arrest on the pitch at Euro 2020.
The Danes, led by inspirational skipper Simon Kjaer on the again, made the semi-finals on the match, negotiated World Cup qualifying with relative ease and boast expertise everywhere in the park.
Tunisia loom as essentially the most beatable of Australia’s opponents, having additionally scraped by way of qualifying in unconvincing trend.
However the world’s Thirtieth-ranked nation are removed from easybeats with a squad that includes loads of European-based expertise. Like the Socceroos, they delight themselves on a troublesome resolve and are prone to sit again and take in strain, with skipper Youssef Msakni and France-based striker Wahbi Khazri posing vital threats in assault.
WHEN ARE THE SOCCEROOS PLAYING?
Australia v France: Wednesday, November 23, 6am AEDT – Al Janoub Stadium
Australia v Tunisia: Saturday, November 26, 9pm AEDT – Al Janoub Stadium
Australia v Denmark: Thursday, December 1, 2am AEDT – Al Janoub Stadium
FIXTURES: EVERY GAME FOR EVERY NATION WITH AEDT START TIMES
Mane to overlook World Cup | 00:32
WHO IS IN THE SOCCEROOS SQUAD?
Squad sizes have been elevated to 26 from the same old 23 for this World Cup and there have been quite a lot of surprises when Graham Arnold introduced his enjoying group for the match final week.
Veterans together with Tom Rogic, Trent Sainsbury and Mitch Langerak missed out as 17 World Cup debutants had been named in a youthful squad with a median age of simply 25 should you low cost a veteran trio of goalkeepers in Mat Ryan, Andrew Redmayne and Danny Vukovic.
Players like Keanu Baccus, Cameron Devlin and Joel King can be unfamiliar to many informal Australian sporting followers however they’ve been given an opportunity to make a reputation for themselves on the most important stage as Arnold bids to set the Socceroos up future success no matter occurs in Qatar.
SQUADS: Every nations’ squad as they’re introduced
Socceroos full squad breakdown! | 05:34
Teenager Garang Kuolwill turn into Australia’s youngest ever World Cup participant after the 18-year-old’s exceptional choice regardless of having by no means began knowledgeable match. The Newcastle United-bound teenager is joined within the squad by one other intriguing choice from the Central Coast Mariners, with Scottish-born striker Jason Cummings included as one other potential X-Factor participant.
But Australia’s hopes in Qatar will probably hinge on the established stars of Arnold’s squad like Aaron Mooy and Ajdin Hrustic, with the health of first-choice centre backs Harry Souttar and Kye Rowles – each coming off vital accidents — additionally key. Martin Boyle has already been changed by Marco Tilio.
Garang Kuol is about to turn into a World Cup participant at simply 18.Source: Getty Images
SOCCEROOS’ 26-MAN WORLD CUP SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan (c), Andrew Redmayne, Danny Vukovic
Defenders: Nathaniel Atkinson, Aziz Behich, Milos Degenek, Thomas Deng, Fran Karacic, Joel King, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar, Bailey Wright
Midfielders: Keanu Baccus, Cameron Devlin, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Riley McGree, Aaron Mooy
Forwards: Martin Boyle (changed by Marco Tilio), Jason Cummings, Mitchell Duke, Craig Goodwin, Garang Kuol, Mat Leckie, Awer Mabil, Jamie Maclaren
WHERE ARE THE SOCCEROOS PLAYING?
All of the Socceroos’ group stage matches might be performed on the 40,000-seat Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar’s second largest metropolis situated simply 17km away from downtown Doha.
The stadium, designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid who died in 2016, was the primary stadium constructed from scratch for this World Cup. It includes a retractable roof and an look impressed by the normal boats used for pearl divers within the area — although some have identified the design resembles feminine genitalia, a declare Hadid dismissed as “ridiculous”.
The stadium options the cooling expertise being utilized in Qatar that may preserve the temperatures on the enjoying floor to round 20 levels, with winter temperatures exterior forecast to succeed in as much as 35 levels.
An aerial view of Al Janoub Stadium.Source: Getty Images
The Socceroos have performed there as soon as earlier than — defeating Jordan 2-1 in June, one in all a number of matches that gave Australia essential expertise enjoying inside Qatar’s airconditioned stadiums in the course of the qualifiers.
“It‘s like enjoying on ceramic tiles should you haven’t performed on them due to the warmth coming down and the airconditioning going up, as soon as it collides, it moistens a complete place,” Arnold instructed foxsports.com.au
“It’s chilly, imagine it or not, it’s 20 levels and the ball simply hangs as a result of the airconditioning blowers, they’re about two metres off the bottom … Anything above two metre the ball hangs.
“So it may be tough And we’ve had these experiences of we’ve performed 5 video games there and we’ve received all 5 and we’ve skilled these airconditioned stadiums.”
If the Socceroos could make it to the Round of 16 they’ll play at both the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium or Al Thumama Stadium.
WHERE ARE THEY STAYING?
The Socceroos will base themselves at Doha’s Aspire Academy during their marketing campaign.
Tim Cahill is Chief Sport Officer at Aspire and performed a task in securing the ability, which may even be used because the host nation’s group base.
Australia’s gamers will eat, sleep and prepare on the spacious facility, which includes a full-sized indoor pitch, seven outside pitches, and different sporting services together with a swimming pool, outside gymnasium and squash courts
While there have been options the Socceroos might be slumming it in dormitory type sleeping preparations, Arnold insists Australia’s gamers may have a key benefit over the numerous rival nations staying in fancy lodges.
“A number of these nations are going to have a gorgeous lodge … with no soccer park, nothing close by. OK, they‘ll have retailers however there’ll be 1.4 million folks (in Doha) and so they’re not going be capable of go exterior their lodge,” Arnold stated.
“But with us on the Aspire, we’ve received soccer pitches throughout us. The boys can go have a recreation cricket if they need and so they can exit and simply lay within the solar. We’re getting arrange a giant TV, with a cafeteria exterior with a giant tent over it so the boys can sit and watch different video games and have coffees and simply be collectively.”
Tim Cahill at Aspire Academy in Doha, Qatar.Source: Supplied
WHY HAVE THE SOCCEROOS ALREADY MADE HEADLINES WORLDWIDE?
Qatar’s World Cup has been affected by controversy ever because it was controversially awarded internet hosting rights again in 2010.
The host nation’s human rights report — notably round staff’ rights — has been fiercely debated and Australia has taken the strongest stance of any competing nation so Socceroos gamers final month launched a video message voicing their issues in regards to the points, together with Qatar’s legal guidelines opposing homosexuality. Other groups have additionally spoken out about points and captains from various main European nations, together with England, France and Germany, will put on armbands in rainbow colors with the message “One Love” in an anti-discrimination marketing campaign.
FIFA has since referred to as on groups on the World Cup in Qatar to “give attention to soccer” and cease “handing out ethical classes” in a message that obtained a pointy rebuke from Amnesty International and triggered social media backlash.
Qatar’s Supreme Committee additionally responds to the Socceroos’ protest by welcoming gamers elevating “essential issues” however defending the progress that had been made round staff’ rights and level out “no nation is ideal”, even Australia.
Socceroos communicate out in opposition to Qatar | 03:07
WHAT IS AUSTRALIA’S WORLD CUP RECORD?
In six World Cups — additionally competing in West Germany in 1974 — Australia have solely made it by way of the group stage as soon as, in 2006, earlier than falling to eventual champions Italy in heartbreaking circumstances.
In reality Australia has solely ever received two World Cup matches, beating Japan 3-1 in 2006 and Serbia 2-1 at South Africa 2010 earlier than narrowly lacking group stage complication. The Socceroos have drawn 4, and misplaced ten of their 16 matches at World Cup finals.
Getting to the World Cup is tough sufficient, scoring objectives and successful matches once you’re there’s even more durable.
Arnie joins FSN for post-selection IV | 08:37
WHAT ARE OUR CHANCES?
Local betting markets have the Socceroos as a lot as $250 to within the World Cup however they’re rated as a lot as 750-1 outsiders in abroad markets. The lifelike objective for Arnold’s group is to succeed in the Round of 16 and so they’re rated a $3.80 probability of doing that by the TAB.
Just attending to this World Cup is an achievement for this Socceroos group however Socceroos nice Robbie Slater believes going a step additional is a sensible objective.
According to analysts Stats Insider, the Aussies have a 17.5% probability of creating it out of Group D, and a 0.1% probability of successful the match.
“It’s going to be troublesome but it surely’s not undoable,” Slater instructed The Back Page.
“If you have a look at 2006 and 2010, we had 4 factors at each of these World Cups.
“In South Africa we had been overwhelmed 4-0 within the opening recreation and objective distinction meant we didn’t progress to the group stage.
“So we have to not lose closely one recreation, and seize 4 factors. I believe we are able to beat Tunisia — they’ll assume they’ll beat us in fact — after which we’ve received to get some extent in opposition to France or Denmark.”
