Australia 

Full of confidence and ambition, the Socceroos want to chase silverware in Doha, after winning their first Asian Cup on home soil in 2015. They will be among the favourites to win the competition even if the underdog role seems to suit the team better.

What to expect

Graham Arnold’s side lacks star power, but instilled with the work ethic and resilience of the famous ‘Aussie DNA’, they are learning how to get results.

In 2023, Australia played England, Argentina and Mexico in friendlies, top-class opposition that should have the Socceroos well prepared for Group B and the knock-out stages. The squad has a new outlook with three uncapped players.

Parma defender Alessandro Circati, Portsmouth midfielder Alex Robertson and wunderkind Garang Kuol as well as the injured Awer Mabil and Mathew Leckie have all been left out. Doha will bring back pleasant memories after Australia reached the last 16 of the World Cup in 2022, falling at the hands of eventual champions Argentina.

Arnold called Qatar “a home away from home”. Even so, there will be no time for sentimentality with Syria and Uzbekistan providing welcome tests in Group B before the tournament’s business end.

Star player

Harry Soutar is the standout name in a team of hard-working players. The Leicester City centre back has a great strike rate and deals well with set pieces at both ends of the pitch, scoring the winning goal in a recent friendly against Palestine. He played for Scotland as a youth international before switching his allegiance to Australia.

Manager 

Nearing his 50th match with the Socceroos, Graham Arnold is in firm command after going from zero to hero. Seen to court controversy and to divide opinion, he was under pressure going into the World Cup, but Australia’s progress from the group ensured that Arnold was no longer questioned. His balanced squad selection is a healthy mix of veteran players and new kids on the block. He demands a great work ethic from his players and is not shy to mention Australia’s sporting exceptionalism. The former Charleroi and Roda JC player expects the same winning mentality from his players because anything less, in his view, is simply not good enough. Arnold was featured in the Australia setup from 2000 to 2007.

Schedule 

Saturday, January 13, 2024, 2:30 pm: Australia – India – Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Doha

Thursday, January 18, 2024, 2:30 pm: Syria – Australia – Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha

Tuesday, January 23, 2024, 2:30 pm: Australia – Uzbekistan – Al Janoub Stadium, Doha

Squad