Key events
Australia XI
Here is the lineup. Awer Mabil is in, making his first start since 2023!
‘Twas the match before the World Cup,
When all through the squad,
The Socceroos jostled,
To receive Popa’s nod.
As I said, tonight is all about getting a ticket to the US for the individual players. Obviously they want to win with the team, but a spot in Tony Popovic’s World Cup squad is the real prize on the line. Jack Snape has you covered with this football-Christmas-in-June/July-themed match preview:
Ya boi Joey Lynch was on the ground at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Friday to catch the action. Key takeaways from his match report include the much-needed spark brought by Nestory Irankunda and Awer Mabil at half-time, plus the skill and composure of debutant Lucas Herrington.
If you want to catch up on the minue-by-minute detail from that game, you can check out Martin Pegan’s blog.
Preamble
Jo Khan
G’day, it’s Jo Khan here to bring you live updates from Australia v Curaçao – the Socceroos’ final home game before the World Cup.
It’s the second of their Fifa Series fixtures after the slog against Cameroon on Friday. Confusingly, to me at least, China are here too for this Fifa invention. They just lost 2-0 to Cameroon earlier this evening at AAMI Park and beat Curaçao 2-0 on Friday … but don’t play Australia.
The Socceroos were saved embarrassment by a late Jordan Bos goal against Cameroon, in what was otherwise a particularly unexciting performance. But a clean sheet and a chance to see new players in different positions gave the victory some extra lustre.
It sets up tonight as a significant outing for the Socceroos. Can they build on that more promising second half, show some cohesion and give the home fans a decent farewell? They have had a few more days together in camp now to get comfortable. For the players, can they show Tony Popovic why they should be right in the mix for World Cup selection? And will the coach see everything he needs to (at least in the green and gold kit) before choosing the squad?
It has been an absolutely cracking day in Melbourne today. Blue sky, sunshine, creeping up to 29C. So, it should be perfect conditions at AAMI Park tonight, assuming China and Cameroon don’t tear it up too much.
Kick-off is 8.10pm local time and 5.10am in Curacao.
As always, get in touch via email if you have any thoughts to share.
Let’s get into it!
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