Australia’s Socceroos secured a slice of global football history on Friday morning (AEDT), defeating Oman 3-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha to become the first nation in FIFA World Cup™️ qualifying history to win 11 consecutive matches in a single qualification campaign.
Goals to Awer Mabil, Martin Boyle, and second-half substitute Mitchell Duke helped lift Australia to three wins from three matches in the Final Round of AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar fixtures.
The win also ensured that Australia edged past Germany, Spain, and Mexico, who each won ten consecutive matches on their paths to Russia 2018, South Africa 2010, and Germany 2006 respectively.
Australia’s string of wins stretches back to September 2019 when the Socceroos’ quest to qualify for Qatar 2022 commenced in Kuwait City. Enroute to securing this global record, the Socceroos have kept eight clean sheets from, outscoring opponents 35 goals to three.
Due to scheduling, combined with the global impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, all bar one of Australia’s matches throughout this period have been played on foreign soil, with the Socceroos’ sole fixture in Australia throughout qualification for Qatar 2022 coming in October 2019 against Nepal in Canberra.
Socceroos Head Coach Graham Arnold said his charges ought to be proud of their efforts, performances, and results over the past two years, however stressed that while the run of wins could be looked back upon positively in years to come, the primary objective of qualifying Qatar 2022 should remain at the forefront of everyone’s focus.
“It’s something we'll probably reflect on in the future and what a great feat it has been, especially playing 10 out of 11 games away from home, but to me it's all about going to Japan and getting ready for Japan in Japan and making it 12 (wins),” Arnold said.
After a recovery day in Doha on Friday, the Socceroos will venture to Japan on Saturday ahead of Tuesday evening’s matchday four clash with the Samurai Blue at Saitama Stadium north of Tokyo.
Australia’s fixture against Japan will be broadcast exclusively live and free in Australia on 10. Coverage of Japan vs. Australia will commence at 8.30pm AEDT on 10 Bold and 10 Play, with kick-off at 9.14pm AEDT.
Australia 3 (Mabil 9’, Boyle 49’, Duke 89’)
Oman 1 (Al Mandhar 28’)
Venue: Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar
Referee: Nawaf Abdulla Shukralla (Bahrain)
Australia: 1. Mathew RYAN (Gk) (C), 4. Rhyan GRANT (2. Fran KARACIC 80’), 6. Martin BOYLE (17. Chris IKONOMIDIS 86’), 9. Adam TAGGART (15. Mitchell DUKLE 63’), 10. Ajdin HRUSTIC, 11. Awer MABIL, 16. Aziz BEHICH, 19. Harry SOUTTAR, 20. Trent SAINSBURY, 22. Jackson IRVINE (7. James JEGGO 80’), 23. Tom ROGIC (13. Aaron MOOY 63’)
Substitutes not used: 3. Callum ELDER, 5. Ryan MCGOWAN, 8. Bailey WRIGHT, 12. Lawrence THOMAS (Gk), 14. Kenneth DOUGALL, 18. Daniel VUKOVIC (Gk), 21. Daniel ARZANI
Yellow cards: Grant, Irvine
Red cards: Nil
Group B Standings | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar (Final Round)
|
Pos |
Nation |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
Pts |
|
1 |
Australia |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
|
2 |
Saudi Arabia |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
|
3 |
Japan |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
|
4 |
Oman |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
|
5 |
China PR |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
|
6 |
Vietnam |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar (Final Round)
Matchday 4: Japan v Australia
Date: Tuesday, 12 October 2021
Venue: Saitama Stadium, Saitama, Japan
Kick-off: 7.14pm local (9.14pm AEDT)
Broadcast: Live and free in Australia on 10 Bold and 10 Play – pre-game coverage from 8.30pm AEDT