Australia completed their preparations for their Asia Cup 2024 campaign with a 2-0 friendly win against Bahrain in Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning (AEDT).
The Socceroos’ main event begins next Saturday night (AEDT) in Qatar at the Baniyas Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as Graham Arnold’s side face off after Bahrain’s Amin Benadi’s own goal, Mitch Duke’s He enjoyed a solid hit with a header that clinched the victory.
The Green and Gold will begin their Asia Cup campaign against India on January 13 at 10.30pm (AEDT), followed by group matches against Uzbekistan and Syria.
Soccer players win against physical Bahrain opponent
Arnold chose a strong team for exhibition matches, but he still has a small chance of getting a starting position.
📋 Created by Gethin Jones #soccer Sam Silvera makes his first start.
🇧🇭 vs 🇦🇺 – 7.1.24, 1am AEDT
📱💻📺 Live streaming on Paramount+#BHRvAUS #soccer #different varieties pic.twitter.com/s9B06Gr4qa— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) January 6, 2024
Right-winger Sammy Silvera was making his first start on the wing for the team, while Welsh-born right-back Gethin Jones was similarly aiming to impress his manager.
However, Australia struggled to overcome a brave Bahrain team who defended deep and were physical and relentless on the counter.
An unlucky own goal broke the deadlock, but the best move of the game by a footballer broke the deadlock, with Benady deflecting Craig Goodwin’s cross into his own net in the 35th minute.
Our dominance was rewarded with a fortuitous own goal ⚽
🎥 @10 Soccer#BHRvAUS #soccer #different varieties pic.twitter.com/fgpwxRXDfP
— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) January 6, 2024
Despite dominating most of the ball, Australia were unable to further extend the scoreline in the first half as they found it difficult to break down Bahrain’s deep position.
However, a great move from Aiden O’Neill for the Socceroos secured their second goal in the 61st minute, creating a comfortable scoreline.
O’Neal sent a perfect deep cross to Goodwin at the back post, who rolled the ball across the goal and Duke, who was on the spot, headed the ball into the empty net.
How we doubled our advantage 👇@aidenoneil98 ➡️ @craig_goodwin11 ➡️ @mitchduke8 🥅⚽
🎥 @10 Soccer #BHRvAUS #soccer #different varieties pic.twitter.com/dSMpoQ4IyF
— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) January 6, 2024
Interestingly, Arnold only featured in six games throughout the second half, with Portsmouth forward Kusini Yengi conceding to striker ahead of Bruno Fornaroli, and previously injured attackers Riley McGree and Marco Thirio. was given playing time.
Kai Rowles was also brought in for the second centre-back position alongside Harry Souter in what appeared to be a straight shoot-out with Cameron Burgess.
Soccerers AFC Asian Cup 2024 National Team 26 members
- matt ryan [GK] (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands)
- Joe Gauci [GK] (Adelaide United, Australia)
- Lawrence Thomas (Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia)
- Harry Souter (Leicester City, England)
- Kai Rowles (Hearts, Scotland)
- Cameron Burgess (Ipswich Town, England)
- Nathaniel Atkinson (Hearts, Scotland)
- Thomas Deng (Albirex Niigata, Japan)
- Geordie Bos (Belgium, Westerlo)
- Aziz Behic (Melbourne, Australia)
- Lewis Miller (Hibernian, Scotland)
- Gethin Jones (Bolton, UK)
- Keanu Backus (St Mirren, Scotland)
- Aiden O’Neill (Belgium, Standard Liège)
- Jackson Irvine (St. Pauli, Germany)
- Connor Metcalf (St. Pauli, Germany)
- Riley McGree (Middlesbrough, England)
- Patrick Yazbek (Viking FK, Norway)
- Craig Goodwin (Al Weda, Saudi Arabia)
- Martin Boyle (Hibernian, Scotland)
- Sam Silvera (Middlesbrough, England)
- Marco Thirio (Celtic, Scotland)
- John Airdale (SV Wegen Wiesbaden, Germany)
- Kusini Yengi (Portsmouth, UK)
- Bruno Fornaroli, Melbourne Victory, Australia)
- Mitchell Duke (FC Machida Zelvia, Japan)
Soccerers AFC Asian Cup 2024 Schedule
The Socceroos will be hoping to improve on their disappointing quarter-final exit at the 2019 Asian Cup, but the team has improved by leaps and bounds since then and is looking to secure their second Asian Cup title after reaching the final and winning their first. I’ll be aiming for it. In 2015.
On paper, they are in a good group to play India in their first game, then face Syria and then Uzbekistan to close out the group stage.
match | date | time | stadium |
---|---|---|---|
Australia vs India | January 13th | 10:30pm AEDT | ahmed bin ali stadium |
Australia vs Syria | January 18th | 10:30pm AEDT | Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium |
Australia vs Uzbekistan | January 22nd | 10:30pm AEDT | Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium |
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