2018 Australia national soccer team season

Last updated
Australia
2018 season
Chairman Steven Lowy
Chris Nikou (from November 2018)
Manager Bert van Marwijk
Graham Arnold (from July 2018)
  2017
2019  

This page summarises the Australia national soccer team fixtures and results in 2018.

Contents

Summary

Australia participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, held in Russia in June and July. The draw took place in Moscow on 1 December 2017, with Australia drawn in Group C alongside France, Peru, and Denmark. [1]

On 25 January 2018, the FFA appointed Bert van Marwijk on a short-term contract for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. [2]

On 8 March 2018 the FFA announced that Graham Arnold would take over the head coach position from van Marwijk at the conclusion of the World Cup and will continue in the role until the 2022 FIFA World Cup. [3]

On 24 March 2018, Australia played their first match under the management of van Marwijk, playing a friendly against Norway at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo. Van Marwijk reverted from Ange Postecoglou's favoured formation of three-at-the-back to the more traditional four defenders formation, and handed international debuts to Andrew Nabbout, Dimitri Petratos, and Aleksandar Susnjar. Despite going ahead in the 20th minute after a goal by Jackson Irvine, Australia lost the match 4–1. [4] A few days later, Australia drew 0–0 in a friendly match against Colombia at Craven Cottage in London, with Danny Vukovic saving an 86th minute penalty. [5]

More than 2 months later, on 1 June 2018, Australia played the first of two friendlies in preparation for the World Cup. They beat Czech Republic 4–0 at NV Arena in Sankt Pölten, Austria, with Mathew Leckie scoring a brace and Nabbout scoring his first international goal. [6] Six minutes before the end of the game, teenager Daniel Arzani was subbed on, making his international debut. [7] In the second friendly on 9 June 2018, Australia defeated Hungary 2–1 in Budapest, with Arzani scoring his first goal for the national team before both teams scored own goals late in the game. [8]

Australia entered the World Cup ranked 36 in the official FIFA World Rankings. [9] In their first match, Australia lost 2–1 to France with Mile Jedinak scoring the goal for Australia from a penalty kick given after Samuel Umtiti handled the ball in the box. France scored with a penalty by Antoine Griezmann after Uruguayan referee Andrés Cunha consulted VAR and with a deflected shot by Paul Pogba which was confirmed by goal line technology. [10] Arzani was subbed on in the 84th minute and at the age of 19 years and 163 days became the youngest player to ever make a World Cup appearance for Australia. [11] In their second match, Australia drew 1–1 with Denmark with Jedinak scoring the goal for Australia from a penalty kick given after Yussuf Poulsen handled the ball in the box which was confirmed by VAR. Denmark had opened the scoring from a goal by Christian Eriksen. [12] In their third and final match, Australia lost to Peru 2–0, with André Carrillo and Paolo Guerrero scoring from open play. [13]

During their first match under new coach Arnold, and also their first match following the World Cup, Australia beat Kuwait 4–0, leading via an own goal from Khalid El Ebrahim, with Apostolos Giannou and Tom Rogic scoring the second and third goals. Awer Mabil sealed the scoreline, scoring his first senior international goal. [14] The game was also marked by Mabil and Thomas Deng making their senior debuts for Australia, with both South Sudanese refugees growing up together and playing together during their boyhood. [15] Their debuts lead to tributes on social media, led by Patrice Evra. [16]

In the beginning of November, upcoming star Arzani was injured while playing for his club Celtic during a domestic match, rupturing his ACL, most likely ruling him out for the season. [17]

In mid-November Australia played two friendly matches in Australia in preparation for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, against South Korea and against Lebanon. The match against South Korea ended in a 1–1 draw, with Massimo Luongo equalising in the 94th minute, cancelling-out Hwang Ui-jo's opening goal. [18] The match against Lebanon was a send-off match for Tim Cahill, who played 9 minutes and marked his 108th and final appearance for Australia. Australia won the match 3–0 with Martin Boyle, on his starting debut, scoring twice and assisting Leckie for the third goal. [19] Australia finished the year, beating Oman 5–0 as a final warm-up for the AFC Asian Cup. Chris Ikonomidis and Milos Degenek scored their first international goals, while Nabbout, Mabil, and Irvine also scored. [20]

Australia finished the year ranked 41 on the official FIFA rankings released on 20 December, 5 places lower than in the January rankings. [21]

Record

As of 30 December 2018
TypeGPWDLGFGA
Friendly 8521206
World Cup 301225
Total115332211

Match results

Friendlies

23 March 2018 Norway  Flag of Norway.svg4–1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Oslo, Norway
18:00 CET (UTC+1)
Report
Stadium: Ullevaal Stadion
Referee: Andreas Ekberg (Sweden)
27 March 2018 Colombia  Flag of Colombia.svg0–0Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia London, England
20:00 BST (UTC+1) Report Stadium: Craven Cottage
Referee: Robert Madley (England)
1 June 2018 Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg4–0Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic St. Pölten, Austria
13:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report Stadium: NV Arena
Referee: Alexander Harkam (Austria)
9 June 2018 Hungary  Flag of Hungary.svg1–2Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Budapest, Hungary
17:30 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Groupama Arena
Referee: Matej Jug (Slovenia)
15 October 2018 Kuwait  Flag of Kuwait.svg0–4Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Kuwait City, Kuwait
19:30 AST (UTC+3) Report
Stadium: Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium
Referee: Yaqoob Said Abdullah Abdul Baki (Oman)
17 November 2018 Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg1–1Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea Brisbane, Australia
18:50 AEST (UTC+10)
Report Stadium: Suncorp Stadium
Attendance: 32,922
Referee: Jumpei Iida (Japan)
20 November 2018 Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg3–0Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon Sydney, Australia
19:30 AEDT (UTC+11)
Report Stadium: ANZ Stadium
Attendance: 33,268
Referee: Ryuji Sato (Japan)
30 December 2018 Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg5–0Flag of Oman.svg  Oman Dubai, United Arab Emirates
16:00 GST (UTC+4)
Report Stadium: Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)

World Cup

16 June 2018 (2018-06-16) Group Stage France  Flag of France.svg2–1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Kazan, Russia
13:00 MSK (UTC+3)
Report (FFA)
Report (FIFA)
Stadium: Kazan Arena
Attendance: 41,279
Referee: Andrés Cunha (Uruguay)
21 June 2018 (2018-06-21) Group Stage Denmark  Flag of Denmark.svg1–1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Samara, Russia
16:00 SAMT (UTC+4) Report (FFA)
Report (FIFA)
Stadium: Cosmos Arena
Attendance: 40,727
Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)
26 June 2018 (2018-06-26) Group Stage Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg0–2Flag of Peru (state).svg  Peru Sochi, Russia
17:00 MSK (UTC+3) Report (FFA)
Report (FIFA)
Stadium: Fisht Olympic Stadium
Attendance: 44,073
Referee: Sergei Karasev (Russia)

Player statistics

Correct as of 30 December 2018 (v. Flag of Oman.svg  Oman ).
Numbers are listed by player's number in World Cup or last friendly played

No.PosNatPlayerTotalFriendliesWorld Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1 GK Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Mathew Ryan 906+003+00
12 GK Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Brad Jones 201+100+00
18 GK Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Danny Vukovic 301+200+00
2 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Milos Degenek 514+110+00
3 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Alex Gersbach 200+200+00
4 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Rhyan Grant 202+000+00
6 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Matthew Jurman 200+200+00
8 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Bailey Wright 101+000+00
16 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Aziz Behich 1108+003+00
19 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Josh Risdon 805+003+00
20 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Trent Sainsbury 906+003+00
21 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Thomas Deng 100+100+00
26 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Aleksandar Susnjar 100+100+00
5 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Mark Milligan 1007+003+00
8 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Massimo Luongo 715+210+00
13 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Aaron Mooy 805+003+00
13 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS James Jeggo 100+100+00
14 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS James Troisi 100+100+00
15 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Mile Jedinak 622+103+02
17 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Daniel Arzani 610+310+30
17 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Mustafa Amini 302+100+00
21 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Dimitri Petratos 201+100+00
22 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Jackson Irvine 1023+420+30
23 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Tom Rogic 915+113+00
4 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Tim Cahill 400+300+10
7 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Mathew Leckie 1036+133+00
9 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Tomi Juric 902+401+20
10 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Robbie Kruse 1005+203+00
11 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Andrew Nabbout 825+122+00
14 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Jamie Maclaren 301+200+00
14 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Martin Boyle 321+220+00
15 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Chris Ikonomidis 111+010+00
17 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Nikita Rukavytsya 200+200+00
21 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Awer Mabil 422+220+00
24 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Apostolos Giannou 111+010+00

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bert van Marwijk</span> Dutch football manager (born 1952)

Lambertus van Marwijk is a Dutch football manager who serves as an advisor for MVV Maastricht. As a player, he played for the Go Ahead Eagles, AZ, MVV and Fortuna Sittard amongst other clubs and also represented the Netherlands once.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Milligan</span> Australian association football player

Mark Daniel Milligan is an Australian former professional footballer. Starting his career as a defender, Milligan has spent much of his later career playing as a midfielder. He is currently a football expert commentary and analysis at 10 Sport. He is currently an assistant coach for A-League Men club Adelaide United.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graham Arnold</span> Australian soccer player and manager (born 1963)

Graham James Arnold is an Australian soccer manager and former player. Arnold was first appointed to work as a head coach of the Australian national soccer team in 2000. After head coach Frank Farina was sacked in 2005, Arnold worked with Guus Hiddink for the 2006 FIFA World Cup campaign, in which they made the second round of the finals. After Hiddink left, he became interim coach of the Socceroos. Arnold went on to qualify Australia's U23 men's national soccer team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Arnold then went on to assist Pim Verbeek for qualification of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Arnold's next move was to take the manager role at struggling A-League club the Central Coast Mariners between 2010 and 2013, where he guided the club to a Premiership and a Championship. He is a member of the Football Federation Australia Football Hall of Fame. Arnold went on to win two Premierships, one Championship and an FFA Cup with Sydney FC. In August 2018, Arnold was appointed head coach of the Socceroos - Australia's senior men's national soccer team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia men's national soccer team</span> Mens national association football team representing Australia

The Australia men's national soccer team represents Australia in international men's soccer. Officially nicknamed the Socceroos, the team is controlled by the governing body for soccer in Australia, Football Australia, which is affiliated with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the regional ASEAN Football Federation (AFF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mile Jedinak</span> Australian association football player

Michael John "Mile" Jedinak is an Australian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He is currently an assistant coach at Tottenham Hotspur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mathew Leckie</span> Australian soccer player (born 1991)

Mathew Allan Leckie is an Australian soccer player who plays for A-League club Melbourne City and the Australian national team. Leckie, being a quick and agile player, is usually placed on the wing. However, he has previously been deployed as a midfielder, striker/second striker and even as a wing-back.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Massimo Luongo</span> Australian soccer player (born 1992)

Massimo Corey Luongo is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Ipswich Town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Nabbout</span> Australian footballer (born 1992)

Andrew Nabbout is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a winger for A-League club Melbourne City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Awer Mabil</span> Australian soccer player (born 1995)

Awer Bul Mabil is a professional soccer player who plays as a winger for Swiss Super League club Grasshoppers. Born as a South Sudanese refugee in Kenya, he plays for the Australia national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Australia men's national soccer team</span>

The Men's Australia national soccer team played their first international match in 1922. They have won four Nations Cup titles, in 1980, 1996, 2000 and 2004 and one Asian Cup in 2000 . However, they have never won the FIFA World Cup, with their best performance being a finish in the Round of 16 in 2006 and 2022.

This page summarises the Australia national soccer team fixtures and results in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Arzani</span> Australian soccer player

Daniel Arzani is a professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder and winger for A-League Men club Melbourne Victory. Born in Iran, he represents the Australia national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 FIFA World Cup Group C</span> Football tournament

Group C of the 2018 FIFA World Cup took place from 16 to 26 June 2018. The group consisted of France, Australia, Peru and Denmark. The top two teams, France and Denmark, advanced to the round of 16. France would go on to win the tournament.

This page summarises the Australia men's national soccer team fixtures and results in 2019.

Marco Tilio is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a winger for Australian club Melbourne City, on loan from the Scottish club Celtic, and the Australia national team.

This page summarises the Australia men's national soccer team fixtures and results in 2021.

This page summarises the Australia men's national soccer team fixtures and results in 2022.

This page summarises the Australia men's national soccer team fixtures and results in 2023.

This page summarises the Australia men's national soccer team fixtures and results in 2024.

References

  1. Law, James; McKern, James; Adno, Carly (2 December 2017). "Socceroos fate revealed as FIFA World Cup draw unveiled in Russia". news.com.au .
  2. Hytner, Mike (25 January 2018). "Bert van Marwijk: Socceroos name coach for World Cup 2018". The Guardian .
  3. Howcroft, Jonathan (8 March 2018). "No surprises as Graham Arnold takes on impossible Socceroos job". The Guardian .
  4. Lynch, Michael (24 March 2018). "Van Marwijk's debut humiliation as Socceroos crash 4-1 to Norway". The Sydney Morning Herald .
  5. Davidson, John (27 March 2018). "Much improved Socceroos hold their own in goalless draw with Colombia". The Guardian .
  6. "Australia 4 Czech Republic 0: Nabbout and Leckie lead solid Socceroos". FourFourTwo . 1 June 2018.
  7. "Australia warm up for World Cup with record-breaking rout of Czech Republic". The Guardian . 1 June 2018.
  8. Bossi, Dominic (10 June 2018). "Daniel Arzani to rescue as Socceroos struggle to beat Hungary". The Sydney Morning Herald .
  9. "Socceroos rise up Fifa rankings to highest position since 2012". The Guardian . 8 June 2018.
  10. Lawrence, Amy (16 June 2018). "Paul Pogba scores with technology's help to take France past Australia". The Guardian .
  11. Atkinson, Guy (16 June 2018). "France 2 Australia 1: Historic Griezmann goal and Pogba secure slender win". Goal.com.
  12. Kelner, Martha (21 June 2018). "Mile Jedinak's controversial penalty earns Australia draw against Denmark". The Guardian .
  13. Ames, Nick (26 June 2018). "Australia out of World Cup as Carrillo and Guerrero strike for Peru". The Guardian .
  14. "New Socceroos era begins with a bag of goals in 4-0 win against Kuwait". news.com.au . 16 October 2018.
  15. "'A dream come true': refugees Deng and Mabil make Socceroos debuts together". The Guardian . 16 October 2018.
  16. Greco, John (17 October 2018). "'An amazing story': Patrice Evra leads social media tributes to Mabil, Deng debuts". Football Federation Australia.
  17. McKay, Ben (3 November 2018). "Socceroo young gun Daniel Arzani out for season with ACL injury". The Sydney Morning Herald .
  18. "Australia snatch late draw against South Korea amid controversy". The Guardian . 17 November 2018.
  19. Hytner, Mike (20 November 2018). "Martin Boyle states Socceroos case with brace as Tim Cahill bids farewell". The Guardian .
  20. "Australia 5 Oman 0: Socceroos enjoy serene Asian Cup warm-up". FourFourTwo . 30 December 2018.
  21. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA . Retrieved 31 December 2018.