With four games played, Australia are approaching the halfway point of their round three FIFA World Cup qualifiers - and the journey continues with two more huge fixtures in just a few week's time!
October saw Australia make history with an 11th-straight win against Oman, before the streak came to an end following a tight defeat away in Japan.
The results mean Graham Arnold's side sit in second spot of Group B - with the Sumurai Blue hot on their heels and a massive meeting with ladder leaders Saudi Arabia on the cards.
November 11 is the day which the Socceroos will next be in action, with Football Australia currently in advanced discussions with the NSW Government to seal a long-awaited homecoming for the side.
It has been over two years since Australia's men's national team last played on home soil, and the country's support will be needed as much as ever when the team fight for three points that would go a long way towards securing passage to a fifth-straight FIFA World Cup Finals.
In next month's second fixture, taking place on the famous date of November 16 - 16 years on from the storied night Australia qualified for its first World Cup in 32 years - the Socceroos will take on China PR away from home.
The two sides last met in their opening match of Round 3, where goals to Awer Mabil, Martin Boyle and Mitch Duke sealed a 3-1 victory for the Green and Gold.
The equation
The Socceroos are taking on Japan, Saudi Arabia, China PR, Oman, and Vietnam in the Final Round of AFC Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
The draw saw Australia pooled in Group B of qualification, with Group A containing IR Iran, Korea Republic, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
To qualify for a fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup™, Australia must finish either first or second in Group B, which includes ten matches to be played from September 2021 to March 2022, to qualify directly.
A third-place finish would send the Socceroos to a play-off against the third-place team from Group A, followed by an intercontinental play-off.
Our schedule
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar (Final Round)
Matchday 5: Australia v Saudi Arabia
Date: Thursday, 11 November 2021
Venue: TBC
Kick-off: TBC
Broadcast: Live and free in Australia on Network 10 and 10 Play
Matchday 6: China v Australia
Date: Tuesday, 16 November 2021
Venue: TBC
Kick-off: TBC
Broadcast: Live and free in Australia on Network 10 and 10 Play
Games in the third round are scheduled to be played on the following match days: 11 November 2021, 16 November 2021, 27 January 2022, 1 February 2022, 24 March 2022 and 29 March 2022.
Due to the ever-evolving COVID-19 situation, match locations and times will be finalised in the immediate lead-up to each window.
Day/Date |
Match |
Thursday, 2 September 2021 |
AUSTRALIA 3-0 China PR |
Tuesday, 7 September 2021 |
Vietnam 0-1 AUSTRALIA |
Thursday, 7 October 2021 |
AUSTRALIA 3-1 Oman |
Tuesday, 12 October 2021 |
Japan 2-1 AUSTRALIA |
Thursday, 11 November 2021 |
AUSTRALIA v Saudi Arabia |
Tuesday, 16 November 2021 |
China PR v AUSTRALIA |
Thursday, 27 January 2022 |
AUSTRALIA v Vietnam |
Tuesday, 1 February 2022 |
Oman v AUSTRALIA |
Thursday, 24 March 2022 |
AUSTRALIA v Japan |
Tuesday, 29 March 2022 |
Saudi Arabia v AUSTRALIA |
How to watch
Yet again October's matches will be broadcast live and free via Network Ten and 10 Play.
Friday morning's match against Oman will be shown on Channel 10, while fans can watch Tuesday's prime-time meeting with Japan on 10 Bold.
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.