Key posts
Have your say: who gets the chocolates today?
Kick-off in Jeddah
The formalities are out of the way, and play is under way in Jeddah.
It’s Saudi Arabia with the ball first, and Australia are 90 minutes away from qualifying for the World Cup.
Maty Ryan celebrates 100
With his selection in today’s Starting XI, Mat Ryan becomes the third Socceroo to reach 100 ‘A’ International caps behind Mark Schwarzer (109) and Tim Cahill (108).
On his way to achieving this feat during his 99 previous caps, Ryan has:
- Captained the Socceroos on 44 occasions (third all-time) played alongside 110 different teammates
- Holds the record for the most FIFA World Cup Qualifier appearances for the Socceroos (44)
- Played in 27 different countries
- Faced 48 different opponents
- In almost 148 hours of international football, Ryan has only conceded 88 goals – including 39 clean sheets (second all-time).
Socceroos keeper Maty Ryan.Credit: AP
Saudi Arabia team list: Alobud to start
Vince’s view: impossible to imagine Socceroos let this slip
Match day photos in Jeddah
The sun sets over King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah ahead of kick-off.Credit: AP
Saudi Arabia fans pack into the stadium.Credit: Getty Images
Australia’s Martin Boyle looks at the pitch.Credit: Getty Images
The ghost of Holger Osieck is the only thing that can stop the Socceroos
By Vince Rugari
The last time the Socceroos lost a match by five goals, it launched the careers of both Ange Postecoglou and Maty Ryan.
It was 2013, and Australia had just sealed a spot at the World Cup in Brazil. Josh Kennedy was the saviour, thanks to his iconic late header against Iraq in front of 80,000 people in Sydney. But there was no saving the unpopular Holger Osieck, who was sacked three months later, despite delivering Australia’s third successive qualification.
Five is the crucial number in this morning match too. Read all about it here.
A lifetime ago: Lucas Neill and Holger Osieck in 2013.Credit: Penny Stephens
Socceroos team list: Popovic makes three changes
Have your say: who gets the chocolates today?
Welcome
Good morning to all the die-hard football fans and insomniacs out there.
It’s the Socceroos taking on Saudi Arabia in Jeddah this morning for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
To qualify, they need to avoid a five goal loss…I reckon they can do it.
Billie Eder here to take you through all the action this morning, alongside Vince Rugari.
Kick-off is 4:15am AEST. If you want to tune into the match, you’re going to need a Paramount + subscription.
Aziz Behich scored for the Socceroos in their last match against Japan.Credit: Getty
