Match Preview: Socceroos v Kuwait
The wait is finally over. More than 18 months after their last hit-out, the Socceroos return to action with a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™️ qualifying fixture against Kuwait on June 4 (AEST).
Graham Arnold takes the national side into action for the first time since recording a 1-0 win over Jordan in November, 2019. It was the Socceroos' fourth win from four qualification fixtures which took Australia to the top of Group B before the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to competitive international fixtures.
The Socceroos resume their qualifying campaign with the first of four fixtures taking place between June 4-16 against a Kuwait side sitting second in Group B on 10 points, two behind Australia (12) on top with four games to play.
Australia will need to hold onto their position on top of Group B or finish as one of the four best runners-up to progress to the third round of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifying for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™️.
Kuwait and Australia last met on September 10, 2019 when the Socceroos travelled to Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium to notch a 3-0 win, with Mathew Leckie scoring a brace and Aaron Mooy adding an eye-catching third late in the first half.
The Socceroos can move five points clear on top of Group B with a win over Kuwait ahead of three remaining fixtures against Chinese Taipei (June 8 AEST), Nepal (June 12 AEST) and Jordan (June 16 AEST).
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Australia v Kuwait
Thursday, 3 June 2021 (4 June AEST)
Venue: Jaber Al-Hamad International Stadium
Kick-off: 10.00pm local, 5:00am AEST (Friday morning)
Watch on Fox Sports, Kayo Sports, ABC TV, and My Football Live App.
World Ranking
Australia: 41
Kuwait: 148
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What they said
Socceroos Head Coach Graham Arnold
"In a lot of ways, fortunately for us we’ve been able to analyse what (Kuwait) are doing because they’ve probably played a good ten games during COVID, where we haven’t played any.
"We know exactly what they’ve got, what style they play, how they play, but for me I’ve always been a coach that 75 to 80% is focus on ourselves and what we can control.
"So we’ll go out and nullify their strengths and expose their weaknesses, and as I said I expect a great performance and three points."