After Australia delighted football fans with their impressive performances in the World Cup led byTim Cahill, Harry Kewell or Mark Viduka, the Socceroos have made their transition processthrough the Qualifiers for the2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Australian sidewere close to elimination, but broughtback their dominance to clinch one more ticket for the world championship.
In the entire World Cup history, Australia have played five times in the World Cup tournament before this year. In fact, four of those participationsare the last four world championships. One of the few teams that have qualified consecutively to the World Cup in this century, aside from Brazil or Mexico. However, as easy as they come, easy they go. The Socceroos haven’t qualified to the Round of 16 stage since their 2006 World Cup participation.
Now, withoutTim Cahill for the first time in such big tournament, maybe Australian fans will miss him. However, Australia have grown as a full functional team since their all-time leading goalscorer left the national team. Still, its hard to imagine how far they could in the World Cup, after not even qualifying directlyin the AFC Qualifiers tournament.
How did Australiaqualify for the 2022World Cup in Qatar?
Australiaplayed in GroupBof the 2022 World Cup AFC QualifiersSecond Round. In this groupplayedSaudi Arabia, Japan, Oman, China, and Vietnam. Certainlythe Soccerooswere favorites to win the first place of the group. Not because they could have a better squad, simply thanks to their background history as one of the most consisten teams in World Cup Qualifiers.
However, football can be unpredictable sometimes, which this was one of them. SaudiArabia completely dominated this group, and clinchedtheir ticket for the 2022 World Cup as the leaderswith one lost game. While Japanalmost went unbeaten as well, but lost two games to end up as the second place of the Group. On the other hand, Australia had setbacks through the qualifiers, and even after key matchdays, the Socceroos were close to an elimination.
At the end, Australia qualified as the third best place in the qualifiers to a fourth-round playoffs within the confederation. It wasone-legged matchup againstthe United Arab Emirates, areally close friendwith the organization team of this World Cup. However, the Socceroos brought out their dominace to pick up a 2-0 win. Then, in the intercontinental playoffs against Peru, a 0-0drawafter 120 minutes was decided in a penalty shoot-outwith the outstanding performance ofAndrew Redmaynefor Australia. Redmaynesavedthe last penalty to qualify Australia to this year’s World Cup.
Using this World Cup Predictor, you can see every potential outcome of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
