The Australian team suffered until the last moment, but will be in the World Cup in Qatar. The oceanic team had to fight in the continental playoffs and, after winning on penalties, they qualified for their fifth consecutive ecumenical event and the sixth in their history.
HOW YOU CLASSIFIED
Just as it happened on the road to Russia 2018, when they finished third in their group and then had to beat Honduras in the play-offs, the Australian team suffered the same fate by placing below Saudi Arabia and Japan in their group of third phase of the Asian Qualifiers.
It is worth noting that their qualifying process began in the second round, although it was a mere formality: they won all their duels (24 points) over Kuwait, Jordan, Nepal and Chinese Taipei.
Already in the playoff against their pair from Peru, the Socceroos looked superior, although they could not break the zero on the scoreboard and had to rely on their specialist goalkeeper, Andrew Redmayne, who entered exclusively for penalties. Finally, the number 12 shirt was the figure and his team celebrated 5-4 in that round.
WHO IS THE FIGURE
Ajdin Hrustic is the figure of the oceanic squad that stands out in one of the five major European leagues: he has been playing for Hellas Verona in Serie A since this season. In the last three seasons, in turn, he was part of Eintracht Frankfurt and took the pleasure of celebrating the title in the UEFA Europa League.
Born in Melbourne 26 years ago, the midfielder had Groningen of the Netherlands Eredivisie as his platform, where in 2019/20 he registered 3 goals, the peak of his career in a single season.
As for his career with the Socceroos, the specialist in taking direct free kicks made his debut in 2017 and has already recorded 20 games with his country’s jersey, added to 3 goals.
WHO IS THE COACH
Graham Arnold became the coach of Australia once the cycle of Russia 2018 was closed, with the elimination of the team in the group stage. The coach born in Sydney had a deep job with the Football Federation of his country, since in this period he was also in charge of the U23 team.
Previously he had managed Australian teams such as Sydney FC, Central Coast Mariners and Japan’s Vegalta Sendai. In addition, at the beginning of his career as a strategist he had a 15-game spell with the Socceroos (between 2006-2007).
The winner of two titles in the professional league of his country (2013 and 2017) holds a record of 23 wins, 4 draws and 6 losses in charge of Australia. He now wants to make history in a World Cup, an event in which he did not participate in his time as a footballer (he played 54 games and scored 19 goals)
COMPLETE ROSTER
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Likely starting XI: Mathew Ryan; Kye Rowles, Bailey Wright, Aziz Behich, Nathaniel Atkinson; Jackson Irvine, Mathew Leckie, Aaron Mooy, Mitchell Duke, Ajdin Hrustic; Martin Boyle.
DATES AND RIVALS IN QATAR
GROUP D
November 22: Vs. France
November 26: Vs. Tunisia
December 30: Vs. Denmark