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2021 Australia national soccer team season

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Australia
2021 season
ChairmanChris Nikou
ManagerGraham Arnold
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This page summarises the Australia men's national soccer team fixtures and results in 2021.

Summary

The 2022 World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification matches were postponed from 2020 to 2021 as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[1] Australia had also accepted an invitation to participate in the 2020 Copa América as a guest nation,[2] but this competition was also postponed to 2021,[3] and Australia subsequently withdrew.[4]

Australia played half of the qualifiers in the second round of the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup and the 2023 Asian Cup in 2019. Following these four matches, they sat first place in the group having won all the matches, scoring 16 goals and conceding only one goal to Chinese Taipei.[5][6] The remaining matches were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia and rescheduled to be played in June 2021 in Kuwait as a centralised venue.[7][8]

On 3 June, Australia played their first match after 567 days without playing, beating Kuwait 3–0 in the Asian qualifiers. Acting captain Mathew Leckie headed in the opener, Jackson Irvine scored the second from a rebound of a saved penalty, and Ajdin Hrustic scored the third from a free kick. The game also had 3 national team debutants, with Fran Karacic starting the match and Kenny Dougall and Riley McGree being substituted on from the bench.[9][10] Four days later, Australia beat Chinese Taipei, marking six consecutive victories for the first time in 20 years. In the first half Harry Souttar and captain Trent Sainsbury headed goals either side of Jamie Maclaren's penalty and Mitchell Duke scored a brace in the second half either side of Chinese Taipei's goal, scored by Gao Wei-jie. In the game Denis Genreau, Connor Metcalfe, and Ruon Tongyik were handed their international debuts.[11][12] Four days later, Australia extended their winning streak to seven consecutive victories, marking the first time in 24 years, beating Nepal 3–0 and securing the top place in their group. In the first half Leckie scored a header before assisting Karacic's maiden international goal and in the second half Martin Boyle scored the third goal before Lawrence Thomas was substituted on to make his international debut.[13][14] After another four days, Australia beat Jordan 1–0 thanks to a header by Souttar. This win marked the first time in history that they won eight consecutive matches in a World Cup campaign.[15][16]

After finishing top of the group in the second and qualifying for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, in the last few months of the year, Australia began the third round of the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup.[17] On 2 September, Australia "hosted" China at a neutral venue in Qatar due to quarantine restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.[18] They won the match 3–0, with Awer Mabil, Boyle, and Duke scoring, while Callum Elder made his international debut.[19] A few days later, Australia travelled to Vietnam where Rhyan Grant scored his first international goal to give Australia a 1–0 victory.[20] It was their tenth consecutive win, which broke the record of the best run of form in the Asian Football Confederation.[21] One month later, on 7 October, Australia beat Oman at a neutral venue in Qatar due to the quarantine restrictions. Mabil, Boyle, and Duke scored for Australia while Rabia Al-Alawi scored for Oman. It was their eleventh consecutive victory, breaking the world record for a run of form in World Cup qualification.[22] A few days later, Australia's winning streak was broken when Japan beat them 2–1 at Saitama Stadium 2002. Ao Tanaka scored early for Japan, Hrustic equalised from a free kick, and Japan won due to an own goal by Aziz Behich near the end of the match.[23] In November 2021, Australia played their first home game in over two years and were held to a scoreless draw by Saudi Arabia.[24] Five days later, Australia played China again at a neutral venue in the United Arab Emirates with China the "host".[25] In this fixture, the teams drew 1–1, with Duke heading home Australia's goal in the first half before Wu Lei equalised from the penalty spot during the second half.[26]

Record

As of match played 16 November 2021
Type GP W D L GF GA
Friendly 0 0 0 0 0 0
World Cup & Asian Cup qualifiers 10 7 2 1 21 5
Total 10 7 2 1 21 5

Match results

World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers

3 June 2021 Round 2 Australia  3–0  Kuwait Kuwait City, Kuwait
21:30 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Jumpei Iida (Japan)
7 June 2021 Round 2 Australia  5–1  Chinese Taipei Kuwait City, Kuwait
19:30 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Saoud Al-Adba (Qatar)
11 June 2021 Round 2 Nepal    0–3  Australia Kuwait City, Kuwait
19:30 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)
15 June 2021 Round 2 Australia  1–0  Jordan Kuwait City, Kuwait
21:30 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Kim Woo-Sung (South Korea)
2 September 2021 Round 3 Australia  3–0  China Doha, Qatar
21:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Khalifa International Stadium
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)
7 September 2021 Round 3 Vietnam  0–1  Australia Hanoi, Vietnam
19:00 UTC+7 Report
Stadium: Mỹ Đình National Stadium
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar)
7 October 2021 Round 3 Australia  3–1  Oman Doha, Qatar
21:30 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Khalifa International Stadium
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Nawaf Shukralla (Bahrain)
12 October 2021 Round 3 Japan  2–1  Australia Saitama, Japan
19:14 UTC+9
Report
Stadium: Saitama Stadium 2002
Attendance: 14,437
Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar)
11 November 2021 Round 3 Australia  0–0  Saudi Arabia Sydney, Australia
20:05 UTC+11 Report Stadium: Western Sydney Stadium
Attendance: 23,314
Referee: Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)
16 November 2021 Round 3 China  1–1  Australia Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
19:00 UTC+4
Report
Stadium: Sharjah Stadium
Attendance: 1,050
Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)

Player statistics

Correct as of 16 November 2021 (v.  China).
Numbers are listed by player's number in last match played

No. Pos Nat Player Total Friendlies World Cup qualifiers
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK Australia AUS Mathew Ryan 8 0 0+0 0 8+0 0
12 GK Australia AUS Andrew Redmayne 1 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
12 GK Australia AUS Lawrence Thomas 1 0 0+0 0 0+1 0
18 GK Australia AUS Danny Vukovic 1 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
2 DF Australia AUS Milos Degenek 5 0 0+0 0 4+1 0
3 DF Australia AUS Brad Smith 1 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
3 DF Australia AUS Callum Elder 1 0 0+0 0 0+1 0
4 DF Australia AUS Rhyan Grant 8 1 0+0 0 7+1 1
5 DF Australia AUS Fran Karacic 6 1 0+0 0 3+3 1
5 DF Australia AUS Ryan McGowan 1 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
8 DF Australia AUS Bailey Wright 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
14 DF Australia AUS Connor Metcalfe 2 0 0+0 0 1+1 0
16 DF Australia AUS Aziz Behich 9 0 0+0 0 8+1 0
19 DF Australia AUS Harry Souttar 8 2 0+0 0 8+0 2
20 DF Australia AUS Trent Sainsbury 8 1 0+0 0 8+0 1
23 DF Australia AUS Curtis Good 1 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
23 DF Australia AUS Ruon Tongyik 2 0 0+0 0 0+2 0
5 MF Australia AUS James Holland 2 0 0+0 0 1+1 0
7 MF Australia AUS James Jeggo 6 0 0+0 0 2+4 0
10 MF Australia AUS Ajdin Hrustic 10 2 0+0 0 9+1 2
13 MF Australia AUS Aaron Mooy 4 0 0+0 0 1+3 0
14 MF Australia AUS Brandon Borrello 1 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
14 MF Australia AUS Kenny Dougall 4 0 0+0 0 2+2 0
17 MF Australia AUS Denis Genreau 1 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
21 MF Australia AUS Daniel Arzani 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
21 MF Australia AUS Riley McGree 7 0 0+0 0 2+5 0
22 MF Australia AUS Jackson Irvine 9 1 0+0 0 9+0 1
23 MF Australia AUS Tom Rogic 4 0 0+0 0 4+0 0
23 MF Australia AUS Gianni Stensness 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
6 FW Australia AUS Martin Boyle 8 3 0+0 0 8+0 3
7 FW Australia AUS Mathew Leckie 4 2 0+0 0 4+0 2
9 FW Australia AUS Jamie Maclaren 4 1 0+0 0 2+2 1
9 FW Australia AUS Adam Taggart 5 0 0+0 0 4+1 0
11 FW Australia AUS Awer Mabil 9 2 0+0 0 5+4 2
13 FW Australia AUS Nikita Rukavytsya 3 0 0+0 0 0+3 0
15 FW Australia AUS Mitchell Duke 9 5 0+0 0 3+6 5
17 FW Australia AUS Andrew Nabbout 1 0 0+0 0 0+1 0
17 FW Australia AUS Chris Ikonomidis 3 0 0+0 0 0+3 0

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia, the match was played behind closed doors.

References

  1. ^ "Update on upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Asia". The AFC. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Caltex Socceroos to participate in Copa America 2020". Football Federation Australia. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  3. ^ "Comunicado Oficial". CONMEBOL. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Football Australia confirms Socceroos' withdrawal from Copa America". Football Australia. 23 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  5. ^ "Socceroos likely to complete World Cup qualifiers in overseas hub location". The Guardian. 3 March 2021.
  6. ^ Curulli, Chris (15 April 2021). "Ultimate Guide: Socceroos' June FIFA World Cup Qualifiers". My Football. Football Australia.
  7. ^ "Centralised venues for Asian qualifiers confirmed". Asian Football Confederation. 12 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Kuwait to host Socceroos' May/June FIFA World Cup Qualifiers". My Football. Football Australia. 15 March 2021.
  9. ^ Curulli, Chris (4 June 2021). "The Socceroos overcome Kuwait on international return". Socceroos. Football Australia.
  10. ^ Rayson, Zac (4 June 2021). "Sizzling Socceroos run riot in dream return from 567-day exile". Fox Sports.
  11. ^ Curulli, Chris (7 June 2021). "Duke strikes double as dominant Socceroos defeat Chinese Taipei". Socceroos. Football Australia.
  12. ^ Rayson, Zac (8 June 2021). "20-year-first as perfect Socceroos crush minnows Chinese Taipei to reach next stage". Fox Sports.
  13. ^ Comito, Matthew (11 June 2021). "Socceroos defeat ten-man Nepal to advance to third round of FIFA World Cup qualifying". Socceroos. Football Australia.
  14. ^ Monteverde, Marco (12 June 2021). "Socceroos soar into next round after sealing epic 24-year-first". Fox Sports.
  15. ^ James, Euan (15 June 2021). "Harry Souttar heads Socceroos to victory over Jordan". Socceroos. Football Australia.
  16. ^ Rayson, Zac (16 June 2021). "Socceroos sweep: Perfect Roos claim eighth win as ugly send-off mars 41-degree war". Fox Sports.
  17. ^ Curulli, Chris (2 September 2021). "Ultimate Guide: Everything you need to know about September's Round 3 Qualifiers". Socceroos. Football Australia.
  18. ^ Larkin, Steve (2 September 2021). "Socceroos coach plays Chinese mind games". FTBL.
  19. ^ Rayson, Zac (3 September 2021). "Cloud NINE: Sizzling Socceroos batter China in dream World Cup qualifying start". Fox Sports.
  20. ^ Rayson, Zac (8 September 2021). "'I'm so grateful': Incredible sacrifice behind Rhyan Grant's maiden Socceroos goal". Fox Sports.
  21. ^ Lynch, Joey (8 September 2021). "Socceroos equal World Cup qualifying record with gritty win over Vietnam". The Guardian.
  22. ^ Rayson, Zac (8 October 2021). "Socceroos pass tough test to clinch record 11th-straight win on road to Qatar WC". Fox Sports.
  23. ^ Rayson, Zac (13 October 2021). "Socceroos' record run ends in cruel Japan defeat after star's two-goal nightmare". Fox Sports.
  24. ^ Smale, Simon (11 November 2021). "Socceroos held to 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia in sodden World Cup qualifier". ABC News.
  25. ^ Monteverde, Marco (3 November 2021). "The Socceroos' road to next year's World Cup will take them to Sharjah to meet China". news.com.au.
  26. ^ Lynch, Joey (16 November 2021). "Socceroos' blunt performance against China leaves World Cup hopes on knife edge". The Guardian.
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