Key events
Fifteen minutes to kick off
Sorry for the silence – there was an issue with the live feed over here in the UK but I think it’s almost sorted. If not I’ll just make the whole nothing up. Anyone fancy a 5-0 win?
Read Joey Lynch’s preview
Time and time again, Australia’s men have threatened to fall off the pace, only for results elsewhere to throw them a lifeline. Just last week, Bahrain had the opportunity to vault over Australia and Saudi Arabia into outright second place, only for a 91st-minute winner from China to consign them to defeat in Riffa. That goal saw China, who are the only side in the group to lose three games but who also sit alongside Japan as the only team to win multiple times, move on to six points.
The teams in full
Bahrain (possible 3-4-2-1) Lutfallah; Benaddi, Al Shamsan, Dhiya; Mahdi Baqer, Al Asfoor, Haram, Marhoon; Al Khatal, Al Aswad; Madan.
Substitutes: Mohamed, Ani Emmanuel, Nabeel, Adbulkarim, Al Wadaei, Abduljabbar, Atede, Hazaa Ali, Al Sherooqi, Al Humaidan, Jaafar, Al Khalasi.
Australia (3-4-2-1) Ryan; Matthews, Souttar, Burgess; Miller, Caceres, Irvine, Behich; McGree, Goodwin; Yengi.
Substitutes: Degenek, Grant, Bos, Boyle, Geria, Hrustic, Borrello, O’Neill, Izzo, Duke, Gauci, Balard.
Referee Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)
Team news: Matthews makes Socceroos debut
Blimey. The 20-year-old Sydney FC defender Hayden Matthews will make his debut in defence for the Socceroos, the continuation of his amazing rise in 2024. That’s one of six changes from the disappointing 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia. Matthews, Maty Ryan, Anthony Caceres, Craig Goodwin, Kusini Yengi and Aziz Behich replace Joe Gauci, Jason Geria, Ajdin Hrustic, Jordy Bos, Aiden O’Neill and Mitch Duke.
Caceres, 32, is also making his full debut, having come off the bench against Saudi Arabia. We’ll have the full XIs in a second.
Preamble
Rob Smyth
In 2022 Australia were among the 16 best teams in world football. Two years on they’re scrapping to be amongst the best 48. Qualification for the 2026 World Cup felt like a formality for the Socceroos, particularly when Fifa fattened the competition by an extra 50 per cent. Instead it has turned into a rare old dogfight.
Australia play Bahrain this morning – well done on not snoozing the alarm by the way – at the Bahrain National Stadium, knowing that a second defeat to Dragan Talajic’s side is unthinkable.
The other two games in Group C were played last night/in the early hours. Japan won 3-1 in China to move 10 points clear and all but ensure qualification, while Indonesia stunned Saudi Arabia with a 2-0 win in Jakarta.
On balance that’s probably a good result for the Socceroos, but it means the race for the final automatic qualification spot is Spandex-tight. Somebody-call-a-doctor-Spandex-tight.
Japan P6 Pts 16
Australia P5 Pts 6 (GD +1)
Indonesia P6 Pts 6 (GD -3)
Saudi Arabia P6 Pts 6 (GD -3)
China P6 Pts 6 (GD -10)
Bahrain P5 Pts 5 (GD -5)
Confused? The same. This morning’s game could make things a bit clearer. A win for the Socceroos would make them strongish favourites to finish second, especially as Japan still have home games to play against Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. But Defeat would mean four months of fear and soul-searching before the group resumes in March.
Kick off 5.15am AEDT, 6.15pm local time.
