A generation of Socceroos fans don’t know what it’s like to miss the World Cup, but the team still plays like their backs are against the wall and we can’t take that for granted, writes Jackson Barrett.
The Socceroos will head to a sixth consecutive World Cup after beating Saudi Arabia 2-1 to complete an incredible turnaround in qualifying.
Anna Harrington
Socceroos midfielder Connor Metcalfe is ready to run the full gamut of gamesmanship from Saudi Arabia and weather the elements as their rivals look to thwart Australia’s World Cup qualification hopes.
Ben Smith
Aziz Behich’s dramatic, late strike against Japan is the latest in a series of incredible Socceroos moments which have put them on the path to the World Cup.
Both the Socceroos’ performance and result against Japan will give credence to Tony Popovic’s supporters and critics.
Australia might simply need to avoid a thrashing in Jeddah to secure World Cup qualification — but in the minds of Brandon Borrello and his Socceroos teammates, they are going to Saudi Arabia to win.
Socceroos Alessandro Circati and Milos Degenek were at opposite ends of the field when Aziz Behich struck gold, but they did the exact same thing in the moments after.
By Aziz Behich’s own admission, the Socceroos’ newest hero did not actually see his 90th minute strike hit the net. But the bedlam which ensued, he’ll never forget for the rest of his life.
John Aloisi in 2005. Josh Kennedy in 2013. Mile Jedinak in 2017. Andrew Redmayne in 2022. Now add Aziz Behich in Perth in 2025.
The Socceroos faced their biggest-ever match in Perth and earned a victory over Japan to all but send them to the next FIFA World Cup in North America. Recap the action from Optus Stadium in our blog.
Aaron Kirby
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic understands the magnitude of potential World Cup qualification on offer, but his side are focused purely on beating Japan at Optus Stadium on Thursday night.
The feeling among West Australians Alessandro Circati and Adam Taggart is one of shared pride at potentially being able to clinch a World Cup berth in Perth.
West Australian soccer great Stan Lazaridis says the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifier at Optus Stadium on Thursday night has all the makings of a golden moment in Australian sport.
The Socceroos’ World Cup qualification destiny is in their own hands heading into the final two games of their campaign - but the equation for safe passage is simultaneously straight-forward and complex.
It’s an inexperienced Japanese team that stands in between the Socceroos and a potential World Cup berth in Perth, but Australian duo Milos Degenek and Ryan Teague won’t be taking them lightly.
The countdown to the biggest game in Perth’s soccer history is underway and the Socceroos are stepping up preparations — come rain, hail or shine.
With another World Cup qualification on the line for the Socceroos in Perth on Thursday night, two of Australia’s experienced campaigners are impressing the importance of seizing the moment.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic says Perth-raised Serie A centre-back Alessandro Circati’s availability for their crunch World Cup qualifiers was a welcome surprise as injuries once again impact squad selection.
Three West Australians have been named in Tony Popovic’s squad for the Socceroos’ blockbuster final two World Cup qualifiers, as the clock ticks towards Thursday night’s clash with Japan in Perth.
More than a decade on from his last taste of international football at under-17’s level, WA product Jack Iredale is desperate to realise a dream come true and debut for the Socceroos in Perth.
WA Day has just got even bigger, with the Socceroos set to host a free open training session on Monday’s public holiday ahead of their blockbuster World Cup qualifier against Japan.
With a FIFA World Cup berth on the line in their upcoming two-game window, Socceroos forward Brandon Borrello says they are not looking beyond their blockbuster qualifier in Perth.
Socceroos assistant coach Hayden Foxe says they will monitor Perth-raised defender Alessandro Circati ahead of their looming World Cup qualifiers after the 21-year-old made an impressive return to Serie A.
Optus Stadium is on track to be more than two-thirds full for the Socceroos’ vital, blockbuster World Cup qualifiying clash against Japan - but its seldom-seen drop-in seats will not be used.
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