The Socceroos thread.

[sydmariner]

Australia to discover opponents as Qatar quest commences

The Caltex Socceroos will discover which nations they will play in their first phase of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying tonight when Asia’s Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 Draw is conducted at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

From 7.00pm (AEST) on Wednesday, Australia will be pooled alongside four other nations as a total of 40 countries set their sights on a place at the FIFA World Cup Finals in Qatar, plus a berth at the AFC Asian Cup in China in 2023.

Based on the latest FIFA Rankings issued in June, Australia will take a position in Pot 1 for the draw alongside Iran, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and China.

ULTIMATE GUIDE: AFC qualifying draw for FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar
TAGGART V RONALDO: Caltex Socceroos striker makes K-League All Stars to face Juventus

Australia will be pooled alongside a nation from each of Pots 2, 3, 4, and 5, and will play each nation home and away between September 2019 and June 2020 (eight matches).

The eight group winners and four best runners-up (12 nations) will advance to the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 finals and the final round of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

The Caltex Socceroos will learn their opponents for the next phase of qualifying following the draw in Kuala Lumpur
The next best 24 teams from the preliminary stage of the joint qualifiers will compete in a separate competition for the remaining slots in the 24-team AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

“Draws for significant events like FIFA World Cup qualifying are always an exciting time for national team players, coaches, staff, and supporters,” Graham Arnold, Head Coach of the Caltex Socceroos, said.

READ MORE: Joeys learn opponents at FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019
DANISH SUPERLIGA PREVIEW: Mabil, Midtjylland chasing title, Amini, Gersbach join forces

“As soon as we discover our draw our staff will commence planning for the fixtures and locations that will await Australia both home and away over the coming year.

“It will be great to have some clarity on what the next year will look like for the team, and this phase of qualification offers four important games on home soil which is fantastic for the players and supporters,” he said.


FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 – Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2

Pot 1
Iran
Japan
South Korea
Australia
Qatar
UAE
Saudi Arabia

China​

​

Pot 2
Iraq
Uzbekistan
Syria
Oman
Lebanon
Kyrgyzstan
Vietnam
Jordan

​

Pot 3
Palestine
India
Bahrain
Thailand
Tajikistan
North Korea
Taiwan
Philippines

Pot 4
Turkmenistan
Myanmar
Hong Kong
Yemen
Afghanistan
Maldives
Kuwait
Malaysia

Pot 5
Indonesia
Singapore
Nepal
Cambodia
Bangladesh
Mongolia
Guam

Sri Lanka​

 

[pjennings]

Copa America starts 12th June - 3 days after 9th June game. I wonder whether they will consider swapping the bye days?

 

[sydmariner]

The first step in the Caltex Socceroos journey to the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar will be known tonight (Wednesday) with the official draw for the next phase of qualification in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

As one of the top-ranked nations in the AFC, Australia are in Pot 1 for the draw, which begins at 7pm (AEST) from AFC House in Kuala Lumpur.

QUALIFYING FOR QATAR: Everything you need to know about getting to the 2022 FIFA World Cup
AUSSIES ABROAD: Red-hot Taggart hits seven in seven, Smith's Seattle score big win

Coach Graham Arnold is looking to help the Caltex Socceroos qualify for a fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup finals tournament.

Before the draw gets underway this evening, check out our ‘Ultimate Guide’ for all you need to know about how it all works as well as the qualification process.

 

[sydmariner]

BTW CCM's GOAT is Guam's assistant coach

 

[pjennings]

Copa America starts 12th June - 3 days after 9th June game. I wonder whether they will consider swapping the bye days?

Just found out - Qatar asked and sill swap with games with position 5. We didn't

 

[sydmariner]

We have Jordan,Taiwan,Kuwait & Nepal

 

[sydmariner]

It looks like we're away to Kuwait 1st up

 

[sydmariner]

CCM's GOAT has been drawn against,Maldives,Phillipines,Syria, & China.

 

[sydmariner]

Fixtures breakdown: All upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for Caltex Socceroos

Caltex Socceroos fans, it’s time to get the green and gold jersey back out and get ready to support Graham Arnold’s side in what looms as a busy 12 months for the national team.

With Wednesday night’s AFC qualifying draw for the FIFA World Cup 2022 now complete, the first part of the journey for Australia to get to Qatar is now clear.

EVERYTHING TO KNOW: How Caltex Socceroos can qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup

And there’s a lot of games to look forward to over the next 12 months.

The Caltex Socceroos have already been confirmed to play at the 2020 Copa America in Argentina and Colombia, with that tournament to run from June 12 to July 12.
But before Australia participate in that huge tournament in South America, they have eight massive FIFA World Cup qualifying matches to play between September 2019 and June 2020.

Check out the Caltex Socceroos’ calendar below (*Likely dates)
September 2019 - FIFA Window: 2-10 September

• Thursday 5th September - bye
• Tuesday 10th September – Kuwait v Caltex Socceroos

October 2019 - FIFA window 7-15 October

• Thursday 10th October – Caltex Socceroos v Nepal
• Tuesday 15th October – Chinese Taipei v Caltex Socceroos

November 2019 - FIFA Window: 11-19 November

• Thursday 14th November – Jordan v Caltex Socceroos
• Tuesday 19th November – bye

March 2020 - FIFA Window: 23-31 March

• Thursday 26th March – Caltex Socceroos v Kuwait
• Tuesday 31st March – Nepal v Caltex Socceroos

June 2020 - FIFA Window: 1 June-12 July

• Thursday 4th June – Caltex Socceroos v Chinese Taipei
• Tuesday 9th June – Caltex Socceroos v Jordan

So we have the bye first up

 

[pjennings]

Probably a must win against Jordan at home on 8th June. With Allianz gone I'd like that game to be at Bankwest.

If we are ever going to host a WCQ the game against Chinese Taipei on 4th June might be one chance to do it. I know we don't quite fit the 1 hour requirement for an international airport requirement but plenty of games around the world don't fit that.

The Copa America starts on 12th June and the Olympics on 24th July. Ideally we could hold a combined Socceroos/Olyroos camp on the Coast, host the Taipei in the middle before they head to Parramatta on 8th June for the Jordan game the next day.

 

[sydmariner]

Australia to face Jordan, Taiwan, Kuwait, and Nepal in combined qualifiers

Australia will play Jordan,Taiwan, Kuwait and Nepal in the first phase of their qualification journey to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.

The official draw for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ – Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 was held at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday evening, and involved Socceroos great Tim Cahill as the draw’s facilitator.

FIXTURES BREAKDOWN: All upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for Caltex Socceroos
EVERYTHING TO KNOW: How Caltex Socceroos qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Australia will play eight matches - four at home & four away - between September 2019 and June 2020, and will need to finish as one of the eight group winners or four best runners-up to advance directly to the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Finals as well as the next round of Asian qualifying for Qatar 2022.

Following the draw Socceroos Head Coach Graham Arnold welcomed Australia’s path – one which will see his squad travel to a diverse set of nations across the vast Asian confederation.

“We are happy with our draw,” Arnold said. “My first game in charge was in Kuwait City, and we won 4-0, so we have been there and experienced Kuwait as a group.”

“There are two teams that we have drawn (Kuwait and Jordan) that we have experience against and two teams that we are not as familiar with. But we will do our due diligence and ensure that we take every game as it comes and respect each match.”

“We have worked with 80 players across the Socceroos and Olyroos over the past year, so I believe with the depth that we have we are well positioned to deal with the qualifiers.”

Probable Match Schedule – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ – Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2

Kuwait v Australia
Date: Tuesday, 10 September 2019

Australia v Nepal
Date: Thursday, 10 October 2019

Taiwan v Australia
Date: Tuesday, 15 October 2019

Jordan v Australia
Date: Thursday, 14 November 2019

Australia v Kuwait
Date: Thursday, 26 March 2020

Nepal v Australia
Date: Tuesday, 31 March 2020

Australia v Taiwan
Date: Thursday, 4 June 2020

Australia v Jordan
Date: Tuesday, 9 June 2020

All kick-off times and venues are to yet to be confirmed. Match schedule is based off current FIFA calendar and AFC competition scheduling.

 

[pjennings]

The top side from each of the eight Asian Qualifiers groups, along with the four best runners-up, will qualify for the final round of Qatar 2022 qualifiers as well as AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

However, should Qatar - having already qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup as hosts - win their group, the five best second-placed teams will advance to the third round.

The same will apply should Qatar finish as one of the best four second-placed teams, with the fifth best second-placed side advancing.

 

[marinermick]

South Korea v North Korea !!!!!!!!!

 

[turbo]

South Korea v North Korea !!!!!!!!!

It's like the draw was done by Foxtel going full Oprah "you get a derby, you get a derby, everyone's getting derbies!"

 

[marinermick]

It's like the draw was done by Foxtel going full Oprah "you get a derby, you get a derby, everyone's getting derbies!"

Iran v Iraq
Saudi Arabia v Yemen
India v Afghanistan

Every pool is the group of death!

 

[Wombat]

We have Jordan,Taiwan,Kuwait & Nepal

Doesnt get any easier than that!

 

[sydmariner]

Heat, humidity, altitude and air miles: what the Caltex Socceroos can expect on the road to Qatar
The Caltex Socceroos’ road to Qatar 2022 is likely to be a long and winding one, featuring intense heat, humidity, altitude and countless air miles.

Having received a bye through their first round of Asian Football Confederation qualifying for FIFA World Cup 2022, Graham Arnold’s side know now the route they must take to continue their journey.

ROAD TO QATAR: Australia to face Jordan, Taiwan, Kuwait, and Nepal
FIXTURES BREAKDOWN: All upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for Caltex Socceroos
EVERYTHING TO KNOW: How Caltex Socceroos qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup

The second round of AFC qualifying sees eight groups of five teams battle out for 12 golden tickets to the next stage: eight to the group winners, four to the best runners-up. The third and final round holds the key to the promised land of the FIFA World Cup 2022.

But before the Caltex Socceroos can even think about reaching their ultimate destination, they must navigate their way past the first major barrier.

Jordan, Kuwait, Taiwan and Nepal stand in their path. Here is where Graham Arnold’s GPS is likely to be leading his Caltex Socceroos.

The Caltex Socceroos warm up at Al Kuwait Kaifan Sports Club Stadium in Kuwait City in October 2018.
Kuwait
The Caltex Socceroos' Group B opener in September 2019 takes us to face a familiar foe, possibly in a familiar venue.

The 18,500-seater Al Kuwait Kaifan Sports Club Stadium was the location where it all began for Graham Arnold and his coaching team back in October 2018.

The Caltex Socceroos downed the Blue Wave 4-0 thanks to an own goal from Khalid El Ebrahim and strikes from Apostolos Giannou, Tom Rogic and Awer Mabil.

The Persian Gulf state, which is seven hours behind Australia, also plays international matches at the much larger 65,000-seater Jaber al-Ahmad International Stadium, some 10km further south in the Ardiya district of Kuwait City.

September is the middle of Kuwait’s dry and hot season with temperatures averaging at 43 degree high and 28 degree low, so expect the Caltex Socceroos to be sweltering out in the Middle East.

Fireworks at the opening ceremony of the 2009 World Games at the National Stadium in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei.
Taiwan
The Caltex Socceroos will need to race to the airport and jet out to the island 180km off the shore of mainland China to play their third Group B match against Chinese Taipei some five days (to be confirmed) after a home tie against Nepal.

With the island entering autumn in October and its timezone only two hours back from AEST, the short turnaround should not have a huge impact on the Australian party disembarking from the 9-10 hour flight north, although humidity can average in the 70%-80% region at that time of year.

Taiwan play most of their internationals at the National Stadium in Kaohsiung, in the south of the island, which was built for the 2009 World Games and holds 55,000.

The team managed by former Arsenal Ladies’ coach, Englishman Louis Lancaster, have also ran out at the 20,000-capacity Taipei Municipal Stadium in Taipei City, which is in the far north, but still only 350km away from Kaohsiung City.

The Westfield Matildas played Japan in the AFC Women's Asian Cup Final 2018 in Jordan's Amman International Stadium.
Jordan
The Caltex Socceroos' fourth match of Group B takes them back to the Middle East in November, but this time on the western side, to the desert landscapes of Jordan.

The ancient city of Amman plays host to the national team, either in the 18,000-capacity Amman International Stadium — where the Westfield Matildas faced Japan in the AFC Women's Asian Cup Final 2018 — or the multi-purpose King Abdullah II Stadium, which can entertain 13,000.

Amman lies less than 200km east of the River Jordan, which acts as the border to Israel, and the City of Stairs was originally built upon seven hills, lying at an elevation of 700m to 1,100m.

Temperatures only tend to reach an average high of 24 degrees, with a low of 14, and the city of Amman averages five days of rainfall in November, so the Caltex Socceroos should be in more comfortable conditions against Belgian head coach Vital Borkelmans’ team.

The Dasarath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu was used as a relief camp following the April 2015 Nepal earthquake.
Nepal
After the Caltex Socceroos host Kuwait in their fifth Group B match, Arnold’s side face a short turnaround and a trek to the Himalayas in March 2020.

Home of the world’s largest mountain, Mount Everest, Nepal is not known as a football powerhouse but Swedish coach Johan Kalin’s side do enjoy a climate that can hand them a home advantage.

With only a five-day gap (TBC) between fixtures, Australia will need to adapt quickly to play at Dasarath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu, a venue which had to be repaired after damage sustained in the April 2015 Nepal earthquake.

The 30,000-capacity ground is nestled between the Himalayan peaks, and Australia’s players will need to cope with the change in air pressure that comes with playing at 1,400m above sea level.

Temperatures average a pleasant high of 26 degrees in March, but drop to around five degrees at night, while Nepal is four hours and 15 minutes behind AEST.

The Caltex Socceroos return home to close out the group in June 2020 with home clashes against Chinese Taipei and Jordan.

Caltex Socceroos’ FIFA World Cup qualifying schedule (*likely dates)
September 2019 - FIFA Window: 2-10 September

• Thursday 5th September - bye
• Tuesday 10th September – Kuwait v Caltex Socceroos

October 2019 - FIFA window 7-15 October

• Thursday 10th October – Caltex Socceroos v Nepal
• Tuesday 15th October – Taiwan v Caltex Socceroos

November 2019 - FIFA Window: 11-19 November

• Thursday 14th November – Jordan v Caltex Socceroos
• Tuesday 19th November – bye

March 2020 - FIFA Window: 23-31 March

• Thursday 26th March – Caltex Socceroos v Kuwait
• Tuesday 31st March – Nepal v Caltex Socceroos

June 2020 - FIFA Window: 1 June-12 July

• Thursday 4th June – Caltex Socceroos v Taiwan
• Tuesday 9th June – Caltex Socceroos v Jordan

All kick-off times and venues are to yet to be confirmed. Match schedule is based off current FIFA calendar and AFC competition scheduling.

 

[sydmariner]

Caltex Socceroos Canberra-bound for Nepal clash
Football Federation Australia (FFA) today announced that the Caltex Socceroos will host Nepal at GIO Stadium in Canberra in the team’s first home match on the road to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.


Australia's fixture against Nepal will be held on Thursday, 10 October 2019, and will mark the first match that Australia’s senior men’s national football team has played in the nation’s capital since a 3-0 win over Kyrgyz Republic in November 2015.

Tickets to the game will go on sale from 1pm (AEST) on Tuesday, 13 August 2019.

FIXTURES BREAKDOWN: All upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers for Caltex Socceroos
EVERYTHING TO KNOW: How Caltex Socceroos can qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2022™


In June this year it was announced that a series of elite, international matches involving the Caltex Socceroos, Westfield Matildas, and Westfield Young Matildas will be played in Canberra over the next 18 months as part of the ACT Government’s joint-investment with Capital Football to build a new ‘Home of Football’ in Canberra.

FFA Chief Executive, David Gallop AM, said FFA was pleased to have been able to move swiftly to schedule a key match for the Socceroos in Canberra in collaboration with ACT stakeholders.

“Football is the largest team sport in Canberra with nearly 40,000 registered outdoor participants, so it is great that the football community of the ACT, and sports fans generally, will be able to watch the Socceroos live at GIO Stadium this October,” Gallop said.

“Recently the ACT Government made a significant commitment to football by guaranteeing their support for the development of a new and modern ‘Home of Football’ in Canberra, which is expected to be operational during the second half of 2021.

“The selection of Canberra for this important Socceroos fixture is, in part, down to the ACT Government’s fantastic pledge for the game, and we’re sure a large and vocal crowd of Australian supporters will get behind the team in what will be their first game on Australian soil in almost a year,” he said.

Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Graham Arnold, who is currently in Europe monitoring players ahead of Australia’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ qualification campaign, welcomed news that the Nepal fixture will be played in Canberra.

“Canberra’s sporting community can take great pride in the fantastic Socceroos that the region has helped to develop over the years,” Arnold said. “Players like Ned Zelic, Carl Valeri and Tom Rogic are representative of the elite talent that has emerged from the area, and who continue to fly the flag for football in the nation’s capital.”

“As a team we will arrive in Canberra focused and determined to produce a great Socceroos performance – one that we expect will not only help us on our journey to Qatar, but leave a positive and long-lasting impression for everyone that comes to watch us play Nepal.” he said.

ACT Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry said she was delighted that this important match would be played in the nation’s capital.

“We are expecting a bumper crowd for this premier sports fixture brought to Canberra through a $24.5 million partnership between the ACT Government, Capital Football and Football Federation Australia.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Canberrans to get behind our national team and build Canberra’s reputation as a world-class sporting and tourism destination.” Minister Berry said.

Capital Football Chief Executive Phil Brown said he was delighted that GIO Stadium was chosen as the venue for the first home match of the campaign

“The confirmation of a Socceroos World Cup qualifier coming to Canberra this year is an exciting opportunity for Canberra’s Football community to get behind one of our National Teams.

“Capital Football would again like to thank the ACT Government and Football Federation Australia whose partnership has not only allowed this opportunity but afforded the delivery of the new Home of Football to be built in Throsby,” he said.

Following Australia’s match against Nepal in Canberra, the Caltex Socceroos will travel north to Chinese Taipei, where the second match of October’s FIFA window will be held on Tuesday, 15 October 2019.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ – Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2

Australia v Nepal
Date: Thursday, 10 October 2019
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: TBC
Tickets: Football Family on sale 1pm Tuesday, 13 August 2019; General Public on sale 1pm Thursday, 15 August 2019 – visit www.socceroos.com.au for details
Broadcast: Live in Australia on FOX SPORTS, Kayo Sports, and via the My Football Live App, Live Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers
So our first game is in Canberra.

 

[sydmariner]

 

[Josho Howe]

3-0 HT. Comfortable. Kuwait are bang average.