Tunisia was the slim favorite in their game with Australia, but neither played like it. Australia firmly seized the game in the first half, while all Tunisia could do was watch in terror. Australia's first major chance, in the 23rd minute, was a reflection of the Aussies' tenacity. Craig Goodwin swung a cross in from […]

Sydney (AFP) – Australia recruited former coach Guus Hiddink on Monday to help in their World Cup build-up, with the experienced Dutch tactician invited back for their final home game ahead of the tournament. The 75-year-old, who ended Australia's 32-year World Cup exile by steering them to the 2006 tournament where they reached the last […]

Sydney (AFP) – Football Australia on Friday dismissed claims that the Women's World Cup it will co-host next year with New Zealand could be shifted to satisfy European broadcasters and ensure better weather conditions. The scenario was raised by French newspaper L'Equipe on Thursday, which said the sport's governing body FIFA had informally approached "several" […]

Doha (AFP) – Awer Mabil said his crucial sudden-death penalty for Australia against Peru was a thank you to the country that took his family in as he reflected on his journey from refugee camp to the World Cup. The 26-year-old calmly scored the Socceroos' sixth spot kick in Doha before watching goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne […]

Doha (AFP) – Australia on Tuesday celebrated the antics of dancing goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne whose penalty shootout save against Peru saw them to a fifth straight World Cup finals. The 33-year-old clowned his way along the goal line as Peru's players prepared to take their penalty kicks and his block of Alex Valera's shot gave […]

Sydney (AFP) – Australia erupted in celebration Tuesday after the Socceroos made a fifth straight World Cup, with football superstar Sam Kerr leading the charge, telling the doubters to "eat your hats". Graham Arnold's men stunned Peru in a penalty shootout in Doha to clinch the penultimate spot at the global showpiece this year, with […]

Doha (AFP) – Australia beat Peru in a sudden death penalty shootout on Monday to secure the penultimate free place at the 2022 World Cup finals. The playoff between the Asian and South American qualifiers had been goalless after 120 minutes and was only decided when Peru's Alex Valera missed his side's sixth penalty, giving […]

Al-Rayyan (Qatar) (AFP) – Australia coach Graham Arnold warned his team they must improve to beat Peru and make it to a fifth straight World Cup after Ajdin Hrustic fired a late winner in a nerve-wracking 2-1 play-off victory over United Arab Emirates in Doha. The Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder's deflected volley in the 84th minute […]

Al-Rayyan (Qatar) (AFP) – Ajdin Hrustic fired a late winner to see Australia to a nerve-wracking 2-1 victory over United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and into a last showdown for a place in this year's World Cup in Qatar. Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hrustic's deflected volley in the 84th minute decided the feverish Asian zone clash […]

Doha (AFP) – Ajdin Hrustic fired a late winner to see Australia to a nerve-wracking 2-1 victory over United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and into a last showdown for a place in this year's World Cup in Qatar. Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hrustic's deflected volley in the 84th minute decided a feverish clash in the Ahmad […]

Wellington (AFP) – New Zealand's men's football team will play in front of their home fans for the first time in nearly five years when they host Australia in a milestone friendly in September. The All Whites face the Socceroos at Auckland's Eden Park on September 25, marking the 100-year anniversary of the first international […]

Doha (AFP) – Coach Graham Arnold is counting on "Aussie mental strength" to see his side to victory over the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and through to another playoff battle for a place in the World Cup finals. Arnold said that Australia seem to like qualifying the "hard way" but insisted that they are […]

Sydney (AFP) – An independent inquiry into an alleged toxic culture within Australian football has referred three separate complaints to police, with two further claims being probed in house. The review by Sport Integrity Australia, a government agency, was sparked by historic claims of sexual harassment in the women's game by former members of the […]

Sydney (AFP) – Australia's football chiefs said Thursday Graham Arnold will stay as national coach despite mounting calls for his axing after the team's failure to automatically qualify for the World Cup. The Socceroos' bid to directly make a fifth straight World Cup ended with defeats to Japan and Saudi Arabia over the last week. […]

Sydney (AFP) – Coach Graham Arnold has urged a demoralised Australia to be positive as he came under mounting pressure Friday after their failure to automatically qualify for a fifth successive World Cup. The Socceroos needed to beat Japan in Sydney on Thursday and then win against Saudi Arabia next week to seal their place […]