How Australia qualified for AFC Asian Cup 2023

The Socceroos are ranked 29th in the FIFA World rankings.

The draw for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup took place on the 11th of May, and has finally given us the group stage fixtures for the final rounds of the continental competition.

India have been drawn into Group B, which at the very first glance looks to be a steep challenge. Syria and Uzbekistan both seem to be strong sides ranked higher compared to India - 90 and 74 respectively. However, it is the team in yellow that would stand as the biggest roadblock between India and a possible knockout qualification.

Australia are easily the toughest team in Group B, and one of the favourites to be crowned as Asian Cup champions. 

Their recent heroics at the 2022 Qatar World Cup - where they qualified from a group consisting of France and Denmark, and gave eventual champions Argentina a run for their money in the round of 16 - gives you a brief idea of just how difficult it will be for the Blue Tigers to get a positive result out of this one.

That said, let’s take a look at the Socceroos’ road to qualification for the AFC Asian Cup 2023.

Road to Qualification

Australia began their AFC Asian Cup journey and their World Cup qualification journey at the very same time, as the first two rounds of the Asian Cup doubled up as the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for Asian teams.

Australia were granted a bye in the first round, courtesy of their high ranking (41 at that time). In the second round, they were drawn in a group consisting of Jordan, Kuwait, Nepal, and Chinese Taipei, all ranked lower than the Aussies.

The fixtures were played in a round-robin format, where each team faced all of their group opponents twice - home and away. Here is how the fixtures panned out.

Won 3-0 vs Kuwait

Australia began their Asian Cup qualification journey against Kuwait on the 10th of September 2019. The Brigadiers had come off a commanding 7-0 victory against Nepal and were in the mood for another successive result, but three first-half goals by the Aussies spoiled the Kuwaiti party and set the tone right for Australia’s Asian Cup journey.

The first two goals came from close range, with Mathew Leckie being in the right place at the right time on both occasions. The third goal was scored by Aaron Mooy, who scored an extraordinary long-range effort to slot the ball into the top right corner.

Won 5-0 vs Nepal

The Aussies then faced Nepal, who had a win and a defeat apiece so far in the qualifier. Right from the very start of the game, the Aussies were on the front foot, and it took them only six minutes to break Nepal’s resistance. 

Jamie Mclaren emerged on the scoresheet thrice to claim the match ball, whereas debutant Harry Souttar also headed in a brace to help his team win 5-0.

Won 7-1 Chinese Taipei

With an aim of further extending their great start in the World Cup qualifiers, Australia made their way to Taiwan to take on Chinese Taipei. The game began with Australia dominating possession, and looking for that early goal. They got that in the 12th minute, courtesy of an incredible header by Adam Taggart. What followed were six more goals by the Socceroos, to hand them an easy 7-1 win, and make it three wins out of three in the qualifiers.

Won 1-0 Jordan

Next in line were Jordan, who had the Aussies struggling for a result. An early goal by Taggart gave Australia the lead, but from there on it was a very cagey affair, which was in the end determined by a factor of luck, that ticked towards the Socceroos that night.

Won 3-0 vs Kuwait

What seemed to be a slight bump in a rather fluttering qualification campaign for Australia didn’t bother them much, as they went on to register a commanding 3-0 win against Kuwait in the very next game. Leckie gave his side the lead in the 1st minute of the game, and Jackson Irvine and Ajdin Hrustic joined him to continue Australia’s perfect record in the qualifiers.

Won 5-1 vs Chinese Taipei

Australia eased their way past Chinese Taipei once again, with a 5-1 win. Harry Scouttar opened the scoring with an easy header, which was followed by a penalty being converted by Jamie McLaren. Two more headed goals, and an easy tap-in for Mitchell Duke further extended the lead, and gave Australia a comfortable victory over the Mulan.

Won 3-0 vs Nepal

With two games left in the qualifiers and having already sealed their place in the top of the group, Australia were in a pretty comfortable position going into their game against Nepal. Coach Graham Arnold even played an changed squad that night, to give young and improving players the opportunity to play for their nation. But despite this, Australia claimed an easy 3-0 win over Nepal, showing just how confident and clinical the Socceroos were whenever they got onto the pitch.

Won 1-0 vs Jordan

Australia met Jordan on the 15th of June 2021, in their final game of the second round of the Asian Cup qualifiers. Despite struggling to find the net for the majority of the game, they took the lead in the 77th minute. An incredible header by Leicester City player Harry Souttar was enough to give the Socceroos a 1-0 win and ensure flawless qualification.

Outcome

With eight wins out of eight games, Australia easily topped their group, and directly qualified for their fifth consecutive Asian Cup since joining the confederation back in 2007.

Australia carried this incredible form into the World Cup, and showcased their dominance to the entire world. India’s matchup against them will definitely be the toughest challenge for the Blue Tigers in recent years, and it will be an important reality check for Igor Stimac and his men on how far or near they are to their dream of Asian glory.