With a strong squad, opponents suffering significant team member losses and the temperature factor on their side, the Socceroos could win a few games during the 2022 World Cup.
South Africa, 2010. Tim Cahill and Brett Holman seal a 2-1 victory against Serbia in their final match of Group D. Teammates Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill and Harry Kewell all celebrate after the final whistle. Little did they know it would be the nation’s last win at a World Cup for the next two tournaments. Australia have still never made it past the group stages.
But this year could be different.
With an average age of 27.2 years, the Socceroos have a wealth of experience within its squad for the World Cup in Qatar. On top of this, the side also possesses a lot of strength.
Four-time A-League Men golden boot winner Jamie Maclaren and Adelaide United’s all-time leading goal scorer Craig Goodwin will both be starring up front for Graham Arnold’s side.
Although Maclaren did not play at all during the 2018 tournament in Russia, the 29-year-old has since netted eight goals for the national team. Three of them coming in a 5-0 victory over Nepal in 2019 – his first international hat-trick. On top of this, the striker has had a stellar start to this year’s A-League season with eight goals in six games for A-League club Melbourne City. Maclaren’s performances since the last tournament have certainly sky rocketed, meaning he well and truly put the Socceroos on the front foot in the group stages.
Currently topping the number of assists in the A-League so far this season is Reds veteran Craig Goodwin with five assists in six games. The 30-year-old is also just behind Maclaren on the top scorers list with three goals in six games. If Arnold is to have both Goodwin and Maclaren on the pitch together, the link-up could provide some great football and give the Aussies the ability and determination to create more successful chances on the park.
Other than just being equipped with strength from the A-League, the side also features the newly recruited Newcastle United striker Garang Kuol. Despite playing for one of the more prestigious sides than any other player, the 18-year-old will be the youngest in the squad to step up onto the international stage. He will be accompanied by the likes of fan favourite Aaron Mooy and La Liga club Cádiz midfielder Awer Mabil. Dundee United defender Aziz Behich will also play in front of goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, forming part of the Socceroos backline. Arnold has clearly made sure his side enters the competition with solid chances of coming away with wins despite being placed in a similar group to the last tournament.
Another reason the Socceroos could finish in the top half of their group is the weather factor. Eight of the current Socceroos squad currently play in the A-League Men during the Australian summer while many of the players from Denmark and France generally play in much cooler climates. Temperatures in Qatar are peaking around 30 degrees Celsius which could play out to the Australians who are already used to playing in the hotter conditions.
The Socceroos squad have a lot of depth this time around and they could give any team a run for their money.
The $38 million dollar side definitely has the chance to go further than any other Australian side has done before during this tournament. After all, Argentina’s loss to Saudi Arabia is a clear sign anything can happen.
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