As Australia head to its sixth FIFA World Cup next month in Qatar, the Subway Socceroos are no strangers to playing in the country where they boast an impressive record.
Since 2008, the Green and Gold have played 15 matches in Qatar, recording 10 wins, three draws and just two losses.
Plenty of highs and some lows have been experienced over the years which all contribute to the Subway Socceroos’ story after moving from the Oceania Football Confederation to join the Asian Football Confederation in 2006.
From most recently prevailing past Peru in a dramatic shootout and securing a FIFA World Cup 2022 berth, to a heartbreaking 1-0 AFC Asian Cup Final defeat to Japan in 2011, and everything in between; we take a look back at some of our most memorable matches.
2011 | AFC Asian Cup vs Iraq | 1-0 win (aet) | Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium
In what was Holger Osieck’s first major tournament in charge of the National Team, the German oversaw a promising Asian Cup campaign in Qatar. After topping the group on goal difference, the Aussies faced reigning champions Iraq in the quarter final.
Australia dominated the match but could not find a breakthrough as it appeared destined for penalties, until Harry Kewell headed home Matt McKay’s floated cross in the 118th minute to advance to the last four.
2011 | AFC Asian Cup vs Uzbekistan | 6-0 win | Khalifa International Stadium
Australia’s most rampant performance of the tournament occurred in the semi-final and knew the winner would face Japan in the decider. Harry Kewell, who was enjoying a phenomenal campaign, fired the Subway Socceroos into the lead inside five minutes for his third goal of the Asian Cup, before Sasa Ognenovski pounced on a loose ball from a set-piece just past the half-hour mark to make it 2-0.
In the second-half, David Carney’s finish completed a swift counter-attack with Matt McKay notching his second assist of the contest. With one foot in the final, Australia was not done and proceeded to score another three goals in a 10-minute period. Brett Emerton and Carl Valeri both netted off cutbacks – the latter arriving from another McKay assist, while Robbie Kruse punctuated the rout, seeing his attempt creep in thanks to some questionable goalkeeping.
2012 | FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifier vs Iraq | 2-1 win | Grand Hamad Stadium
Following a 2-1 loss to Jordan in its previous outing, the Subway Socceroos needed to get back on track against a dangerous Iraq side. After being largely in control without reward for its dominance, the Lions of Mesopotamia struck against the run of play courtesy of a slick finish from Alaa Abdul-Zahra on 72 minutes.
But two goals in four minutes overturned the deficit. Tim Cahill came to the rescue, leaping high to score a header from a corner before Archie Thompson headed home Tommy Oar’s cross in the 84th minute to register a vital three points.
Eight months later Australia would face the same opponents to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014, courtesy of a Josh Kennedy header in a 1-0 victory.
2021 | FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifier vs Oman | 3-1 win | Khalifa International Stadium
Due to restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia began its third round of AFC matches for the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualification process in Doha during the September and October FIFA Windows. Having defeated China 3-0 the previous month, the Subway Socceroos would entertain Oman.
Awer Mabil produced a stunning half-volley to put Graham Arnold’s side in front, but Rabia Al-Alawi’s emphatic equaliser ensured both sides would go into the break level. Four minutes after the re-start Martin Boyle was alert to head in the rebound after Adam Taggart’s strike was too hot to handle for the Oman goalkeeper, and approaching stoppage time, substitute Mitch Duke guaranteed all three points with a side-footed finish.
Remarkably, the result would be an incredible 11th win in a row, a record-breaking achievement in World Cup qualification.
2022 | FIFA World Cup 2022 play-off vs United Arab Emirates 2-1 win | Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
The winner of this clash would face Peru for a spot in Qatar. United Arab Emirates enjoyed the bulk of the chances early on with Mat Ryan called in to make a number of routine saves. Though despite being on the back-foot, the Subway Socceroos opened the scoring when Jackson Irvine finished off Martin Boyle’s cutback in the 53rd minute. The lead was short-lived however – lasting just four minutes – as Caio Canedo blasted his shot in from close range with Australia unable to clear a cross which dropped in the box.
But with time ticking away, Ajdin Hrustic gave Arnold’s men the lead six minutes from time when his volley from a partially cleared corner took a wicked deflection, leaving the UAE shot-stopper stranded.
2022 | FIFA World Cup 2022 Inter-confederation play-off vs Peru | 0-0 draw (aet) (5-4p) | Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
The Subway Socceroos’ fate would all come down to another inter-confederation play-off, this time against CONMENBOL opponents Peru. The two sides incidentally met four years ago, placed in the same group at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. On this occasion, one team would be going home. The stakes could not be any higher. Peru were favourites even if they were not as strong as four years prior.
However, games are not won on paper and a tense battle ensued, lasting 120 minutes in what was a cagey game. It ended goalless and Graham Arnold turned to his bench and summoned Andrew Redmayne for the shootout in a move which surprised nearly every Australian fan.
But the gamble paid off in spades with Redmayne, in just his third appearance for his country, denying Alex Valera with a strong save as the Subway Socceroos advanced 5-4 on penalties and punch its ticket to a fifth successive FIFA World Cup following a gruelling qualification campaign. All this achieved in its Centenary year too.
