World Cup 2022 team preview: Goal-shy Australia set to struggle
This is the fifth World Cup Australia have qualified for, but they haven't made it beyond the Group Stage in any of their previous three attempts. Their best effort was reaching the Round of 16 in 2006, where they were knocked out by a late penalty. They have only managed one win in their last three tournaments.
Australia finished third in their qualification group. They won 2-1 against UAE to qualify for the World Cup. The game against Peru finished 0-0 after extra-time. Keeper Andrew Redmayne saved a penalty in sudden death to send Australia through.
Graham Arnold is the current manager of the Australia national team. He has been to the World Cup twice as an assistant coach. Arnold has won championships with Central Coast Mariners and Sydney FC.
Australia will play in a 4-1-4-3-2 formation. Maty Ryan is the goalkeeper, but there are several other options for the starting spot. A number of players are competing for a starting place in the midfield. Awer Mabil and Martin Boyle have shown promise in recent times. There is no clear starter up front. Jamie Maclaren, Mitchell Duke, Jason Cummings, Mathew Leckie, Garang Kuol, Craig Goodwin, and Keanu Baccus are the other players who are not guaranteed a place.
Australia's team for the 2022 World Cup is: Mathew Ryan, Danny Vukovic, Andrew Redmayne, Harry Souttar, Kye Rowles, Milos Degenek, Bailey Wright, Thomas Deng, Nathaniel Atkinson, Fran Karacic, Aziz Behich, Joel King, Aaron Mooy, Jackson Irvine, Cameron Devlin, Ajdin Hrustic and Riley McGree. Jamie Maclaren, Mitchell Duke, Jason Cummings, Mathews Leckie, Garang Kuol, Craig Goodwin, Awer Mabil, Martin Boyle.
Aaron Mooy is Australia's key player. He has struggled with fitness and uncertainty at club level in the last 12 months. However, he has been included in most of Australia’s most important matches. His work off the ball is where Australia will need him to do the heavy lifting.
Awer Mabil is an interesting player for Australia. He has struggled for game time recently at Cadiz but is still favoured in the team.
Australia are in Group D with France and Denmark. The only difference from the 2018 group is Tunisia taking Peru's place. Australia play France first. They are expected to lose the game. Next they play Tunisia. If they can win the match they will have a chance of reaching the knockout stage.
Australia are in a tough group with France and Denmark. They are without a major threat in the air for set pieces and have struggled to create chances in open play.
November 22, 7pm: France v Australia (BBC). November 26, 10am: Tunisia v Australian ( BBC).November 30, 3pm Australia v Denmark (NBC).
World Cup 2022 dates, fixtures, groups, kick-off times and schedule for Qatar competition are available at Paddy Power News.
