30 days to go: The Socceroos' 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying journey so far
There's not long to go until the Socceroos kick off their final stage of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ qualifying in early September.
As the countdown ramps up, take a trip down memory lane to re-live our journey so far - starting all the way back in mid-2019.
Australia made a perfect start their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, advancing through their first group in perfect fashion.
Wit the first four matches played in late 2019 and final half of the group played out in June 2021, the Socceroos secured eight-straight victories: with seven of those coming away from home.
Graham Arnold's side notched an impressive 28 goals at an average of 3.5 per game, while conceding just the two.
A 3-0 win in Kuwait kicked off the campaign, as Mathew Leckie bagged a memorable brace and Aaron Mooy curled home a stunner to ensure the result.
A month later, the Socceroos returned home to Canberra where they played out a comfortable 5-0 victory over Nepal. Jamie Maclaren stole the show with his first international hat trick, while Harry Souttar instantly endeared himself to the Australian fans with a brace on debut.
Five days later, the squad travelled to Chinese Taipei where they secured their most emphatic result so far, overcoming the home nation 7-1 at Kaohsiung National Stadium. Adam Taggart, Jackson Irvine and Souttar all registered braces, as Ajdin Hrustic came off the bench to chip in with a trio of assists.
Exactly a month later, it was a whole lot closer when the Australia travelled to face Jordan in Amman. But Arnold's side managed to get the job done in difficult conditions, with a solitary Adam Taggart goal ensuring the Socceroos would return home with a priceless three points.
When the full time whistle blew on that night in November 2019, no one would have suspected that the Socceroos would wait another 18 months before returning to action.
But that was exactly the case, as the Asian Qualifiers finally resumed within a hub based in Kuwait City.
Despite the lengthy intermission, Australia would come away with another four important victories to ensure they sealed top spot in Group B and advanced to within striking distance of a fifth-straight FIFA World Cup Finals appearance.
The first, a 3-0 win over Kuwait, kicked off in perfect fashion as captain Mathew Leckie headed home just 55 seconds in.
Ajdin Hrustic then put his name up in lights with a Man of the Match performance that was capped off by a stunning free kick - voted by fans as the Socceroos' goal of the month.
A 5-1 victory against Chinese Taipei followed, with Souttar, Maclaren and Sainsbury finding the scoresheet, to go with Mitch Duke's second-half brace.
Australia all but secured passage to the next stage with a game to spare after Leckie, Fran Karacic and Martin Boyle all found the scoresheet in a 3-0 win against Nepal, before Harry Souttar stood up with a late header to help Graham Arnold's men grind out a 1-0 win over Jordan and advance without dropping a point.
In the final group stage of Asian Qualifying, the Socceroos will take on Japan, Saudi Arabia, China PR, Oman, and Vietnam - with two spots at the FIFA World Cup at stake.