Match Preview: Socceroos v China

The Socceroos return to action on Friday morning at 4am (AEST) as they face China PR in the opening match of the third round of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ qualifying.

The match, which was originally scheduled to be played in Australia, takes place at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha as the Socceroos look to extend their unbeaten run in qualifying.

Aus v China

Australia have won their past eight matches – either side of an 18-month lay-off – and will be hopeful of building on that momentum in Qatar.

A top-two finish in the group will send Graham Arnold’s men straight to the World Cup Finals in Qatar next year, while a third-place finish means the Socceroos will be forced to go through the playoffs.

China, meanwhile, have also won all four of their recent World Cup qualifiers and conceded just once as they finished second to Syria in Group A.

It’s been six years since Australia and China last faced off in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup Quarter-Finals. A tournament which the Socceroos went on to win and claim their first major trophy since moving to the Asian confederation.

Asian Cup 2015
The Socceroos lifting the Asian Cup trophy in 2015

China, who are ranked 71st in the FIFA world ranking, have only ever played at one World Cup in 2002 and are gradually making strides in their quest to return to the world's biggest stage.

China scored two more goals than the Socceroos in the previous round of qualification and they will be looking to pick up exactly where they left off.

History suggests the match will be a tight affair. Australia have won seven of the previous 17 meetings while China have won eight and two draws have been played out.

With the likes of Tom Rogic and Aaron Mooy returning to the squad, the Socceroos will be eager to begin the third phase with a positive result and move one step closer to a fifth-straight FIFA World Cup Finals appearance.

Mooy; Rogic
Rogic and Mooy return to the Socceroos squad

China, on the other hand, will be hoping that star striker Wu Lei can continue his goalscoring form. The 29-year-old, who plays for Spanish La Liga club Espanyol, has scored eight goals in qualification so far.

Elsewhere in Group B, Japan host Oman while Saudi Arabia faces Vietnam, who Australia play on Tuesday night (AEST).

Australia v China PR
Date: Thursday, 2 September 2021
Venue: Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar
Kick-off: 9pm local (4am AEST – Friday, 3 September 2021)
Broadcast: Live and free in Australia on Channel 10 – pre-game coverage from 3.30am AEST

HOW TO WATCH - Australian audiences 

HOW TO WATCH - International audiences

What they said 

Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold

“I think what we learned in the second phase – where we had to play seven out of eight games away from home and we won all eight games –  has given the players a lot of belief and confidence when they play away from home. 

“It’s just like playing at home. We’ve shown in that second phase a lot of resilience and a lot of belief. So, wherever we play we expect to win every game.

“We’re going to do Australia proud. That’s what I believe. I’ll drive the message to the players about putting a smile on Australian football fans' faces.”

Socceroos Training

China PR coach Li Tie

“We have a lot of football fans who are always supporting our team and I think this is great motivation for the team. It’s a very good group. We will try our best to play all the games.

"You might seem much stronger than us, but that doesn't mean we don't stand a chance. This is how the game of soccer is played. 

"One thing is for sure-we have to go all out with a mentality of going to war should we expect to produce any surprises in the qualifying tournament.

“We are facing not just strong opponents on the pitch but also the challenge of potentially staying abroad longer than expected to continue playing our future home games in Qatar.

"Anyway, we've been braced for whatever sacrifice that we have to make to try to accomplish something big."

Socceroos’ September Schedule

The Socceroos’ second fixture of the forthcoming FIFA window is scheduled to take place against Vietnam on Tuesday, 7 September 2021, with kick-off at 10pm AEST. 

WORLD CUP HUB UPDATE 2022