Match Preview: Socceroos v Saudi Arabia

After falling to a couple of late Japan goals last Thursday evening, the Socceroos next face Saudi Arabia as they conclude the final round of FIFA World Cup Qualifying.

The Socceroos will look to finish on a high as they meet Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, with the previous meeting between the two sides ending in a scoreless stalemate in Sydney.

The Green Falcons have only tasted defeat once in Group B and recently confirmed themselves a place in the upcoming FIFA World Cup which will take place in Qatar later this year.

Despite losing against Japan on Thursday evening, Australia will look to finalise their World Cup Qualifying campaign on a high note as they will face either UAE, Iraq or Lebanon for a spot in an all-important intercontinental playoff. 

Australia will be without 22-time Socceroo Jamie Maclaren who is unavailable due to a wedding, but Socceroos fans could be treated to the introduction of Nick D’Agostino who is in contention to earn a debut on Wednesday morning.

READ MORE: 'The speculation kept coming': How a World Cup Qualifier led to Boyle's Saudi move

Macca
Maclaren is unavailable against Saudi Arabia

D’Agostino is not the only player who could pull the Green and Gold on for the first time on Wednesday morning - Nathaniel Atkinson could also feature against the Green Falcons.

Australia’s clash against Saudi Arabia will be the Socceroos' first tie on Saudi Arabian soil in over six years, and creates the opportunity to rebuild ahead of June's vital playoffs. 

Elsewhere in Group B, Japan host Vietnam while Oman and China play out their final AFC FIFA World Cup qualifying games.

Boyler
Martin Boyle in action against Saudi Arabia

WATCH MORE: Sainsbury: We've been in this position before | Post-match Interview | Australia v Japan

Match Details

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar (Final Round) Matchday 10:

Saudi Arabia v Australia
Date: Wednesday, 30 March 2022
Venue: King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Kick-off: 5:00AM AEDT
Broadcast: Live and free in Australia on Network 10 and simulcast on 10 Play

How To Watch:

March's matches will be broadcast live and free on Australia's 'Home of Football,' Network Ten.

Socceroos fans can watch coverage live from 4:30pm AEDT on Channel 10, or 10 Bold if you are in Western Australia.

To watch all of the latest involving Socceroos and the rest of Asian Qualifying, Australian football fans can visit https://10play.com.au/socceroos.

For fans based outside of Australia, click here to read about how you can continue to access the action.

World Rankings:

Australia: 37
Saudi Arabia: 53

What They Said:

Trent Sainsbury, Socceroo defender:

“It's obviously not the desired result but we've been in this position before, last time four years ago,” Sainsbury said.

"We have to regroup and focus for the Saudi game in five days, all intentions are to go there and win the game.