Match Preview: Australia vs Bangladesh FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Kristian Bullock \\ Photo credit: Aleksandar Jason 1700040615,1700172557

The Subway Socceroos open their qualifying campaign against Bangladesh on Thursday evening (8:00pm AEDT), at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.

The clash signifies the start of an arduous three-year quest, with the aim being qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. 

Socceroos Tickets banner v Bangladesh or Maldives

READ MORE: Ultimate Guide: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Bangladesh and Palestine

Graham Arnold’s squad have been thoroughly tested in preparation for their qualifying campaign, with recent friendlies against New Zealand, Mexico, England, and world champions Argentina. 

In their most recent friendlies, the green and gold went toe-to-toe for ninety minutes with European finalists England at Wembley Stadium, before reclaiming the ‘Soccer Ashes’, with a comprehensive victory over neighbours New Zealand.

Despite the valuable experience against strong opposition, Australia had not played in front of their own fans since Ecuador toured back in March, with Thursday’s clash being the first competitive match on home soil in over six hundred days.

Training
Photo Credit: Aleksandar Jason/Socceroos

Thursday's opponents, Bangladesh, have already kicked off their qualifying campaign, defeating regional rivals The Maldives 3-2, over two legs. The 183rd ranked team frequently over-perform their leaderboard position, having become regulars in AFC’s second round of qualifiers, with the side hoping to reach the final round for the first time.

‘The Bengal Tigers’ star player is currently midfielder and captain Jamal Bhuyen. Bangladesh’s all-time appearance holder, Bhuyen shares a relationship with Subway Socceroos captain Maty Ryan, having spent time at Danish giants FC Copenhagen. Born and raised in Denmark’s capital city, the 33-year-old will be familiar with the playing styles of Australia’s European based players.

The two sides have previously met in FIFA World Cup qualifying, having faced off twice back in 2015, following our Subway Socceroos’ AFC Asian Cup triumph.

The first match was hosted in Perth, where a brace from Tom Rogic and goals from Nathan Burns, Aaron Mooy, and Mathew Leckie completed a 5-0 rout. The only player from the starting line-up to remain in the current squad is Massimo Luongo. The return leg in Dhaka was just as fruitful for the Subway Socceroos, with all-time top-scorer Tim Cahill bagging a hat-trick during a 4-0 victory.

Graham Arnold has selected a similar squad to October’s friendlies, remaining firm on his selection stance, to pick players who regularly appear for their club sides. 

The newest inclusion is Portsmouth forward Kusini Yengi, who has been rewarded for a strong start to life at Portsmouth. Familiar with the national team set-up, the 24-year-old recently represented the Subway Olyroos, including four appearances at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022™.

Following the start of the A-League Men’s campaign, striker Jamie Maclaren and goalkeeper Joe Gauci regain their spot in the 23-man squad.

Ashley Maynard-Brewer also returns to the fold, with the 24-year-old shot-stopper quickly establishing himself as a mainstay in the Subway Socceroos squad, despite an absence during the October friendlies.

Those missing out on selection through injury include winger Mathew Leckie, Middlesbrough midfielder Riley McGree, and Hearts full-back Nathaniel Atkinson.

Thursday will also be a landmark night for Graham Arnold, who will manage his 59th international, breaking Frank Farina’s record for most Australian games managed.

The 60-year-old’s commemoration, as a player, assistant, Olyroos manager, and senior men’s international manager will hopefully be a motivator for his team, as they search for an opening day win to kick-start their qualification journey.

Current FIFA Rankings

Australia: 27
Bangladesh: 183

Head-to-head vs Bangladesh

Played: 2
Wins: 2
Goals: 9
Conceded: 0

Insights

  • Head Coach Graham Arnold will manage his 59th international match, spanning two stints which started in 2006 as a caretaker, before returning in late 2018.
  • AAMI Park is a happy hunting ground for the Subway Socceroos, having emerged victorious in every match played, since the venue opened in 2010.
  • Kusini Yengi has been an effective tool off the bench for League One’s Portsmouth, achieving a rate of one goal every twelve minutes when used as a substitute.
  • Sadio Mane (0.46), Riyad Mahrez (0.38), and Roberto Firmino (0.25) all possess a weaker goals per game record then Craig Goodwin (0.63) in the Saudi Pro League this season, with the Aussie netting five in eight matches so far.
  • The Socceroos are playing in Australia for the first time in 233 days, and, including the upcoming match against Bangladesh, since June 7 2019 have only played at home 7 times, an average of 232 days between each local game
  • Bangladesh’s last five matches have either been drawn (3) or decided by one goal (1), with their singular win coming crucially over the Maldives in the second leg of the First Round of World Cup Qualifiers to send them through to the next set of fixtures
  • Socceroo Massimo Luongo has been a revelation for Ipswich Town - out of his side, he has the fourth most progressive carries (29), second most progressive passes (94), second most passes into the final third (61), third most shots blocked (6), the most tackles (44) and the most tackles won (32)
  • Bangladesh have just one player in their squad over the age of 30 (Jamal Bhuyan); the average age of their called-up side sits at just 23.13, with 11players 23 or under
  • New Socceroos camp member Kusini Yengi scored two goals in his first two matches at Portsmouth, coming in a seven-minute and four-minute cameo respectively

What they said

Graham Arnold

READ MORE: Graham Arnold's latest Socceroos World Cup Qualifying update

Approach against Bangladesh and thoughts on the opposition

I've had probably three weeks (to anaylse them) since they played them, our lives haven't been away. And to watch what they do. One thing I will say is they've got great determination and great fight as a team. Obviously, I've shown the boys today Bangladesh, their shape and how they play. And as Maty said, and that's the messaging that I drive all the time, it doesn't matter who we play we only have a certain amount of time in camp, and that is to focus on our jobs, but also we respect the opposition. And we do what we need to do to beat the opposition.

Martin Boyle joining the squad in Kuwait

It was just mainly down to obviously the the fact that it was on the knee that he had the ACL, the swelling and the long flight that could make his knee swell up again. So with the communication between my medical staff and their medical staff, it was the best thing to do was to leave him in over in Scotland. He's training, I spoke to Nick Montgomery and he trained for four days with Hibs, so he'll join us soon as we get across to Kuwait.

Needing Melbourne’s support to kick-start qualifying journey

I appeal to all the Melbourne fans, to get out and support the boys. It's been a really, really long time since we played here in Australia, in my reign, we've only played nine games here in Australia. The boys just love coming back here so much and playing in front of their family, friends, and fans, and it'd be great to see a full house.

Maty Ryan

Graham Arnold's impact on his career

There's no doubt he's played a massive role in my journey as a footballer, obviously starting out there in the Mariners days and having that belief and faith in me there at the beginning and sticking with me, and he's obviously gone on to do what I witnessed him do at the Mariners, at Sydney, and then here within the national team, as well. I'm obviously very grateful to have had someone like him, help me in guiding me through my journey so far as a professional footballer, and I try and say thanks in the best possible way, by doing all that I can for when I'm obviously selected within this team to try and play as best as I can for him and for the team to be as successful as we can be. 

Evolution of the national team

The evolution I think is there within the results. It's obviously a results based game. We play this sport, because we love it. And we have the opportunity to create lifelong memories. And the more successful we are the better and more memories that you have. I know for me in my life, there's nothing more purposeful than that and dedicating and sacrificing my time towards doing exactly that. So the fact that obviously, we've gone on and we've done things as a national team that no other team has done is obviously an example of that. We're by no means satisfied, and we've got our goals and we tick them off. And now we've moved on and we've got more goals that we want to tick off and it's great to get this campaign this World Cup and Asian Cup qualifying campaign underway again, and the journey starts again.

Aziz Behich

READ MORE: Behich identifies ‘main goal’ ahead of Bangladesh clash

Feelings before Bangladesh match

When we go out on that pitch, we’re expected to win; that’s always been our focus and it doesn’t matter who we play against. (2022 qualification) was difficult for us with no home games, so we’re excited that the first game is at home in front of our fans, and we’re all raring to go. We went through the playoff phase last campaign, and we don’t want to do that again.

Culture built under Graham Arnold

I’ve loved playing under Arnie. He gives me confidence while playing, and you learn from every coach you play under. The culture he’s put in place from day one has made it easy for payers to slip straight into our environment. It was a difficult one for him with the COVID qualification phase, but it’s different this time around. He’s set the bar high for us, and we do that on the pitch and every day in training as well.

Maty Ryan | Pre-Match Press Conference | Australia v Bangladesh World Cup Qualifier

How To Watch

FIFA WORLD CUP 2026™ SECOND ROUND ASIAN QUALIFIERS:

Subway Socceroos v Bangladesh
Thursday, 16 November 2023
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT
Tickets: via Ticketek
Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+