Subway Socceroos will take on Bahrain in an international friendly at 1am (AEDT) on Sunday as part of their final preparations for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.
Therefore, we would like you to take a look back at the past five matches against the Pearl Divers, who are currently coached by former Valencia CF, Saudi Arabia and Chile national team coach Juan Antonio Pizzi.
Bahrain, ranked 86th in the world, will also be in Group E for this month’s tournament, while Australia are in Group B along with India, Syria and Uzbekistan.
The warm-up match will be broadcast live for free on Network 10, the home of Australian soccer, as well as 10 Play and Paramount+.
face to face
Played: Five
win: Five
draw: 0
loss: 0
2006 | 3-1 win | AFC Asian Cup Qualifying
Australia’s opening AFC Asian Cup 2007™ qualifying match at the Bahrain National Stadium did not get off to a promising start as they trailed 1-0 at half-time. However, a second-half fightback saw penalties from Archie Thompson, Josip Sukoko and Ahmad Ellich turn the tide, resulting in a 3-1 away victory.
2006 | 2-0 victory | AFC Asian Cup Qualifying
Two goals in six minutes was enough to defeat Bahrain and finish first in Group D in a come-from-behind game. At Sydney Football Stadium, the hosts took the lead in the 17th minute with John Aloisi’s close-range finish from an assist from Mark Bresciano, and after turning provider, the creative midfielder produced a stunning acrobatic six minutes later. He doubled his advantage by converting the volley into the goal himself.
2008 | 1-0 win | FIFA World Cup Qualification
In Australia’s AFC Fourth Round Group A second leg of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Qualifiers, the Green and Gold snatched all three points with the final kick of the match. Mark Schwarzer sent a long ball up front, the Burlan defense was unable to clear the line, and Mark Bresciano dribbled forward and fired a powerful finish past the goalkeeper.
2009 | 2-0 victory | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Australia’s stellar qualifying campaign during the 2010 trip to South Africa continued in the corresponding match in June 2009. In the penultimate qualifying match, Australia recorded a solid 2-0 victory at Stadium Australia thanks to Mile Stejowski and a late goal. David Carney. After defeating Japan a week later, the Subway Socceroos ultimately edged out Samurai Blue for first place.
2011 | 1-0 win | AFC Asian Cup
In the final group match of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™, Australia needed a win to have a chance of finishing first in the group ahead of South Korea. It was Mile Jedinak who stepped up after scoring the tying goal against South Korea in a 1-1 stalemate. The midfielder pounced on a lost ball from midfield and expertly fired a low drive that bounced into the bottom corner of the goal, giving Australia a 1-0 win and taking top spot on goal difference.
Match details
Bahrain v Subway Socceroos
Saturday, January 6th
Baniyas Stadium, Abu Dhabi
kick off: 6pm local time / 1am AEDT (Sunday 7 January)
broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+
Subway Soccer AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Match Schedule (Group B):
Australia v India
Saturday, January 13, 2024
Al Rayyan’s Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
kick off: 2:30pm local time (10:30pm AEDT)
broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+
Syria v Australia
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
kick off: 2:30pm local time (10:30pm AEDT)
broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+
Australia v Uzbekistan
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Al Janob Stadium, Doha
kick off: 2:30pm local time (10:30pm AEDT)
broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+