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Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Socceroos v Japan LIVE: Australia chase vital World Cup qualifying win in Perth
Go to latest What the Socceroos need to do to qualify Roy Ward The Socceroos can't qualify tonight but a win will all but assure them of second place in the group and a spot on the plane to North America in 2026. Going into the last two games of the group C qualifying, Japan has locked top spot and a World Cup spot while Australia, Saudi Arabia and, mathematically, Indonesia but are chasing the second automatic berth. The Socceroos are best placed to take second spot due to their record and their commanding nine-goal lead over the Saudis in goal difference. Saudi Arabia plays Bahrain early on Friday morning. Even if the Socceroos lose tonight and Saudis win both games, they will need two enormous goal-scoring efforts to get ahead of Australia on goal difference and they've only scored four goals in their previous eight qualifiers. With some help from here is how the scenarios for the Socceroos: Socceroos make it if: AUS beat JPN and SA lose or draw with BAH. AUS draw with JPN, SA lose to BAH and IND lose to CHN. If the Saudis and Australia both get the same result, their clash in Jeddah early on Wednesday morning will likely decide the group but both nations drop either or both game, then it will open the door for Indonesia to qualify in second place but they will need two wins and for Australia to lose both games Socceroos fans will be hoping for a positive result and some pleasant news upon waking up on Friday morning but time will tell. 8.04pm Vince Rugari with the latest on the lineups for tonight By Vince Rugari Good evening, folks. Huge night ahead. The team sheets are out, and it's pretty much as expected from Socceroos coach Tony Popovic. Alessandro Circati comes straight into the starting XI in the middle of Popovic's back three. In the absence of the injured Jackson Irvine, it's Aiden O'Neill and Ryan Teague entrusted with running the midfield - both have played well for the national team, but never together. And up front, Brandon Borrello gets the nod at striker with Martin Boyle and Connor Metcalfe the inverted a strong side for the Socceroos - and Japan's, too, is formidable. And that's factoring in the 14 changes to their squad since the last international window, having already clinched World Cup qualification. Only two members of their starting XI, tonight's captain Daichi Kamada of Crystal Palace and Union SG's Koko Machida, are in the double digits in terms of caps. There are a couple of debutants in there, too, with most of their big guns on the will be strong, of course, and will be looking to impress their coach and press their World Cup selection claims. But they will also lack a bit of cohesion, so there's a real opportunity for the Socceroos to capitalise if they're good enough. 7.58pm Will the Socceroos qualify for World Cup- and if so, when? 7.58pm What the Socceroos need to do to qualify By Roy Ward The Socceroos can't qualify tonight but a win will all but assure them of second place in the group and a spot on the plane to North America in 2026. Going into the last two games of the group C qualifying, Japan has locked top spot and a World Cup spot while Australia, Saudi Arabia and, mathematically, Indonesia but are chasing the second automatic berth. The Socceroos are best placed to take second spot due to their record and their commanding nine-goal lead over the Saudis in goal difference. Saudi Arabia plays Bahrain early on Friday morning. Even if the Socceroos lose tonight and Saudis win both games, they will need two enormous goal-scoring efforts to get ahead of Australia on goal difference and they've only scored four goals in their previous eight qualifiers. With some help from here is how the scenarios for the Socceroos: Socceroos make it if: AUS beat JPN and SA lose or draw with BAH. AUS draw with JPN, SA lose to BAH and IND lose to CHN. If the Saudis and Australia both get the same result, their clash in Jeddah early on Wednesday morning will likely decide the group but both nations drop either or both game, then it will open the door for Indonesia to qualify in second place but they will need two wins and for Australia to lose both games 7.58pm Good evening Hello and welcome to our live blog for the AFC World Cup qualifier between the Socceroos and Japan. I'm Jonathan Drennan and I'll be taking you through all the major moments as the Socceroos chase a win in their vital qualifier against rivals Japan who have already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the winner of this group. It's almost 20 years since Socceroo's star John Aloisi scored a crucial penalty in the playoff shootout in Sydney against Uruguay to send Australia to their first World Cup in 34 years. Tonight in Perth, the Socceroos have the perfect opportunity to create another golden memory for Australian football fans. Kick off is 9.10pm AEST, looking forward to this.
The Age
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Matildas vs Argentina LIVE: Tom Sermanni takes reins for 151st and final time
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of tonight's friendly between the Matildas and Argentina at a sold-out GIO Stadium in Canberra. I'm Vince Rugari, and I'll be taking you through every moment of what will be Tom Sermanni's 151st and final match in charge of the national team. Yes, his seemingly never-ending interim stint is finally coming to an end after this morning's appointment of Joe Montemurro as the new Matildas coach - the worst-kept secret in the business. Montemurro was unveiled in Sydney but has travelled down to Canberra to address the players for the first time and watch the match from the stands, before he takes charge later this month. But before then… this. Another important audition for those looking to impress Montemurro and work their way into his plans for next year's Asian Cup and beyond.
