Socceroos Set to Kick Off World Cup Qualifiers Against Bahrain

The Socceroos are gearing up for their first match of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 against Bahrain at Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast on Thursday, 5 September 2024, with kick-off scheduled for 8:00pm AEST.

Australia’s coach, Graham Arnold, is confident in his team’s performance after finishing the Second Round Qualifiers at the top of their group, scoring an impressive 22 goals without conceding any. As they embark on this next stage, the Socceroos find themselves in Group C alongside rivals Japan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China PR, and Indonesia.

Bahrain, who secured second place in their previous group behind the United Arab Emirates, has not been an easy opponent. The Socceroos have a perfect record against Bahrain, winning all six encounters, but the Reds come into this match with a four-game unbeaten streak.

This upcoming clash marks the second time Australia has faced Bahrain this year, following a friendly match earlier in which Arnold’s side claimed a 2-0 victory. The squad has received a boost with the return of several key players, including captain Maty Ryan and forward Craig Goodwin, who has been in excellent form in the Saudi Pro League.

Arnold has emphasized the importance of having a strong attacking lineup, which is why he selected additional wingers for this camp. The team’s focus is on maximizing their strengths in order to secure victories against both Bahrain and Indonesia, whom they will face shortly after.

As the Socceroos prepare for this crucial match, the players are eager to perform well on home soil and make their country proud in pursuit of direct qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026.