2021 Australia national soccer team season

This page summarises the Australia men's national soccer team fixtures and results in 2021.

Australia
2021 season
ChairmanChris Nikou
ManagerGraham Arnold

Summary

Australia played half of the qualifiers in the second round of the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup and the 2023 Asian Cup in 2019. Following these four matches, they sat first place in the group having won all the matches, scoring 16 goals and conceding only one goal to Chinese Taipei.[1][2] The remaining matches were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia and rescheduled to be played in June 2021 in Kuwait as a centralised venue.[3][4]

On 3 June, Australia played their first match after 567 days without playing, beating Kuwait 3–0 in the Asian qualifiers. Acting captain Mathew Leckie headed in the opener, Jackson Irvine scored the second from a rebound of a saved penalty, and Ajdin Hrustic scored the third from a free kick. The game also had 3 national team debutants, with Fran Karacic starting the match and Kenny Dougall and Riley McGree being substituted on from the bench.[5][6] Four days later, Australia beat Chinese Taipei, marking six consecutive victories for the first time in 20 years. In the first half Harry Souttar and captain Trent Sainsbury headed goals either side of Jamie Maclaren's penalty and Mitchell Duke scored a brace in the second half either side of Chinese Taipei's goal, scored by Gao Wei-jie. In the game Denis Genreau, Connor Metcalfe, and Ruon Tongyik were handed their international debuts.[7][8] Four days later, Australia extended their winning streak to seven consecutive victories, marking the first time in 24 years, beating Nepal 3–0 and securing the top place in their group. In the first half Leckie scored a header before assisting Karacic's maiden international goal and in the second half Martin Boyle scored the third goal before Lawrence Thomas was substituted on to make his international debut.[9][10] After another four days, Australia beat Jordan 1–0 thanks to a header by Souttar. This win marked the first time in history that they won eight consecutive matches in a World Cup campaign.[11][12]

After finishing top of the group in the second and qualifying for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, in the last few months of the year, Australia began the third round of the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup.[13] On 2 September, Australia "hosted" China at a neutral venue in Qatar due to quarantine restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.[14] They won the match 3–0, with Awer Mabil, Boyle, and Duke scoring, while Callum Elder made his international debut.[15] A few days later, Australia travelled to Vietnam where Rhyan Grant scored his first international goal to give Australia a 1–0 victory.[16] It was their tenth consecutive win, which broke the record of the best run of form in the Asian Football Confederation.[17] One month later, on 7 October, Australia beat Oman at a neutral venue in Qatar due to the quarantine restrictions. Mabil, Boyle, and Duke scored for Australia while Rabia Al-Alawi scored for Oman. It was their eleventh consecutive victory, breaking the world record for a run of form in World Cup qualification.[18] A few days later, Australia's winning streak was broken when Japan beat them 2–1 at Saitama Stadium 2002. Ao Tanaka scored early for Japan, Hrustic equalised from a free kick, and Japan won due to an own goal by Aziz Behich near the end of the match.[19] In November 2021, Australia played their first home game in over two years and were held to a scoreless draw by Saudi Arabia.[20] Five days later, Australia played China again at a neutral venue in the United Arab Emirates with China the "host".[21] In this fixture, the teams drew 1–1, with Duke heading home Australia's goal in the first half before Wu Lei equalised from the penalty spot during the second half.[22]

Record

As of match played 16 November 2021
TypeGPWDLGFGA
Friendly000000
World Cup & Asian Cup qualifiers10721215
Total10721215

Match results

World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers

3 June 2021 Round 2 Australia  3–0  Kuwait Kuwait City, Kuwait
21:30 UTC+3
  • Leckie 1'
  • Irvine 24'
  • Hrustic 66'
Report Stadium: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Jumpei Iida (Japan)
7 June 2021 Round 2 Australia  5–1  Chinese Taipei Kuwait City, Kuwait
19:30 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Saoud Al-Adba (Qatar)
11 June 2021 Round 2 Nepal    0–3  Australia Kuwait City, Kuwait
19:30 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)
15 June 2021 Round 2 Australia  1–0  Jordan Kuwait City, Kuwait
21:30 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Kim Woo-Sung (South Korea)
2 September 2021 Round 3 Australia  3–0  China PR Doha, Qatar
21:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Khalifa International Stadium
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)
7 September 2021 Round 3 Vietnam  0–1  Australia Hanoi, Vietnam
19:00 UTC+7 Report
Stadium: Mỹ Đình National Stadium
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar)
7 October 2021 Round 3 Australia  3–1  Oman Doha, Qatar
21:30 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Khalifa International Stadium
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Nawaf Shukralla (Bahrain)
12 October 2021 Round 3 Japan  2–1  Australia Saitama, Japan
19:14 UTC+9
Report
Stadium: Saitama Stadium 2002
Attendance: 14,437
Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar)
11 November 2021 Round 3 Australia  0–0  Saudi Arabia Sydney, Australia
20:05 UTC+11 Report Stadium: Western Sydney Stadium
Attendance: 23,314
Referee: Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)
16 November 2021 Round 3 China PR  1–1  Australia Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
19:00 UTC+4
Report
Stadium: Sharjah Stadium
Attendance: 1,050
Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)

Player statistics

Correct as of 16 November 2021 (v.  China PR).
Numbers are listed by player's number in last match played

No. Pos Nat Player TotalFriendliesWorld Cup qualifiers
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1 GK  AUS Mathew Ryan 800+008+00
12 GK  AUS Andrew Redmayne 100+001+00
12 GK  AUS Lawrence Thomas 100+000+10
18 GK  AUS Danny Vukovic 100+001+00
2 DF  AUS Milos Degenek 500+004+10
3 DF  AUS Brad Smith 100+001+00
3 DF  AUS Callum Elder 100+000+10
4 DF  AUS Rhyan Grant 810+007+11
5 DF  AUS Fran Karacic 610+003+31
5 DF  AUS Ryan McGowan 100+001+00
8 DF  AUS Bailey Wright 000+000+00
14 DF  AUS Connor Metcalfe 200+001+10
16 DF  AUS Aziz Behich 900+008+10
19 DF  AUS Harry Souttar 820+008+02
20 DF  AUS Trent Sainsbury 810+008+01
23 DF  AUS Curtis Good 100+001+00
23 DF  AUS Ruon Tongyik 200+000+20
5 MF  AUS James Holland 200+001+10
7 MF  AUS James Jeggo 600+002+40
10 MF  AUS Ajdin Hrustic 1020+009+12
13 MF  AUS Aaron Mooy 400+001+30
14 MF  AUS Brandon Borrello 100+001+00
14 MF  AUS Kenny Dougall 400+002+20
17 MF  AUS Denis Genreau 100+001+00
21 MF  AUS Daniel Arzani 000+000+00
21 MF  AUS Riley McGree 700+002+50
22 MF  AUS Jackson Irvine 910+009+01
23 MF  AUS Tom Rogic 400+004+00
23 MF  AUS Gianni Stensness 000+000+00
6 FW  AUS Martin Boyle 830+008+03
7 FW  AUS Mathew Leckie 420+004+02
9 FW  AUS Jamie Maclaren 410+002+21
9 FW  AUS Adam Taggart 500+004+10
11 FW  AUS Awer Mabil 920+005+42
13 FW  AUS Nikita Rukavytsya 300+000+30
15 FW  AUS Mitchell Duke 950+003+65
17 FW  AUS Andrew Nabbout 100+000+10
17 FW  AUS Chris Ikonomidis 300+000+30
  • Source:

Notes

  1. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia, the match was played behind closed doors.

References

  1. "Socceroos likely to complete World Cup qualifiers in overseas hub location". The Guardian. 3 March 2021.
  2. Curulli, Chris (15 April 2021). "Ultimate Guide: Socceroos' June FIFA World Cup Qualifiers". My Football. Football Australia.
  3. "Centralised venues for Asian Qualifiers confirmed". Asian Football Confederation. 12 March 2021.
  4. "Kuwait to host Socceroos' May/June FIFA World Cup Qualifiers". My Football. Football Australia. 15 March 2021.
  5. Curulli, Chris (4 June 2021). "The Socceroos overcome Kuwait on international return". Socceroos. Football Australia.
  6. Rayson, Zac (4 June 2021). "Sizzling Socceroos run riot in dream return from 567-day exile". Fox Sports.
  7. Curulli, Chris (7 June 2021). "Duke strikes double as dominant Socceroos defeat Chinese Taipei". Socceroos. Football Australia.
  8. Rayson, Zac (8 June 2021). "20-year-first as perfect Socceroos crush minnows Chinese Taipei to reach next stage". Fox Sports.
  9. Comito, Matthew (11 June 2021). "Socceroos defeat ten-man Nepal to advance to third round of FIFA World Cup qualifying". Socceroos. Football Australia.
  10. Monteverde, Marco (12 June 2021). "Socceroos soar into next round after sealing epic 24-year-first". Fox Sports.
  11. James, Euan (15 June 2021). "Harry Souttar heads Socceroos to victory over Jordan". Socceroos. Football Australia.
  12. Rayson, Zac (16 June 2021). "Socceroos sweep: Perfect Roos claim eighth win as ugly send-off mars 41-degree war". Fox Sports.
  13. Curulli, Chris (2 September 2021). "Ultimate Guide: Everything you need to know about September's Round 3 Qualifiers". Socceroos. Football Australia.
  14. Larkin, Steve (2 September 2021). "Socceroos coach plays Chinese mind games". FTBL.
  15. Rayson, Zac (3 September 2021). "Cloud NINE: Sizzling Socceroos batter China in dream World Cup qualifying start". Fox Sports.
  16. Rayson, Zac (8 September 2021). "'I'm so grateful': Incredible sacrifice behind Rhyan Grant's maiden Socceroos goal". Fox Sports.
  17. Lynch, Joey (8 September 2021). "Socceroos equal World Cup qualifying record with gritty win over Vietnam". The Guardian.
  18. Rayson, Zac (8 October 2021). "Socceroos pass tough test to clinch record 11th-straight win on road to Qatar WC". Fox Sports.
  19. Rayson, Zac (13 October 2021). "Socceroos' record run ends in cruel Japan defeat after star's two-goal nightmare". Fox Sports.
  20. Smale, Simon (11 November 2021). "Socceroos held to 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia in sodden World Cup qualifier". ABC News.
  21. Monteverde, Marco (3 November 2021). "The Socceroos' road to next year's World Cup will take them to Sharjah to meet China". news.com.au.
  22. Lynch, Joey (16 November 2021). "Socceroos' blunt performance against China leaves World Cup hopes on knife edge". The Guardian.
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