FIFA World Cup
Analysis
Australian soccer
Calamitous defending and spurned chances: Socceroos player ratings against Bahrain
It was another head-scratching performance from Tony Popovic’s team as the Socceroos try to claw their way into the 2026 World Cup.
- by Paul Zalunardo
Latest
World Cup Qualifiers 2024 as it happened: Last-gasp goal saves Socceroos’ blushes in Bahrain
Kusini Yengi scored after just 38 seconds - and then deep into added time to salvage a 2-2 draw for Australia in Riffa on Wednesday morning (AEDT).
- by Vince Rugari
Defence against the dark arts: Socceroos brace for more Bahraini antics
Australia’s next opponents are arguably world leaders in time-wasting and gamesmanship – and defender Harry Souttar says the Socceroos can’t get sucked in like they did last time they met.
- by Vince Rugari
‘We owe them’: Socceroos out to settle score with team that dented World Cup ambitions
Jason Geria watched Australia’s disaster-class against Bahrain on television two months ago, thinking he’d never get a chance to play for them in the rematch.
- by Vince Rugari
Analysis
Australian soccer
‘We should have won it’: Socceroos rue wasted chances as World Cup hopes hang in balance
Thursday night’s 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia wasn’t great for the Socceroos. It also wasn’t a total disaster. But it was very nearly both of those things.
- by Vince Rugari
Popovic believes Socceroos can qualify for World Cup despite chaotic draw with Saudi Arabia
Tony Popovic’s side will rue their missed chances against Saudi Arabia in their crucial World Cup qualifier at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.
- by Roy Ward and Vince Rugari
Analysis
Socceroos
Why ugly is beautiful for the Socceroos
Five things we learnt from Tony Popovic’s first two fixtures in charge of Australia, as the national team stays in the hunt for direct World Cup qualification.
- by Emma Kemp
Japan 1 Australia 1
Australian soccer
Socceroos park the bus – eventually – to snatch a priceless point against Japan
The draw against the Samurai Blue completes an encouraging first window in charge for Tony Popovic, who has steered Australia’s World Cup qualification campaign back on track.
- by Vince Rugari
As it happened: Own goals only as Socceroos hold Japan to draw in World Cup qualifier
Tony Popovic’s Australia are out to defy history and build momentum against the Samurai Blue.
- by Emma Kemp
The ‘Willy Wonka’ moment that put Harry Souttar back on track for Socceroos
A change in club has proved the world of difference for the Australian defender.
- by Anna Harrington
Australia 3 China 1
Australian soccer
‘Just as I imagined it in my head’: Goodwin claws Socceroos back from the brink
Craig Goodwin has a fair claim as Australia’s most under-appreciated sporting talent. On Thursday night, and not for the first time, he came to his nation’s rescue.
- by Vince Rugari
Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/topic/fifa-world-cup-5x5