Latest news with #AsianQualifying
The Guardian
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
David Squires on … the Socceroos reaching a sixth successive World Cup
Our cartoonist looks at the final round of Asian qualifying that saw Australia beat Japan and Saudi Arabia to book their place in North America
The Guardian
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Socceroos taken from brink of disaster to automatic World Cup 2026 qualification
What had once looked fanciful has now become a reality: the Socceroos have qualified automatically for the 2026 World Cup. For the first time in over a decade there will be no playoff heroics required, no ice cold hat-trick from Mile Jedinak or shootout dancing from Andrew Redmayne. After a 1-0 win over Japan in Perth and a 2-1 win against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, Tony Popovic's team have done it the easy way, joining Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, and Japan from Asian qualifying in North America next year. Had this scenario been presented when the draw for this phase of qualification was made, few would have believed it. Not just because Australian football has bred its own unique brand of cynicism over the years, but also because the last two times Australia's men had been sorted into a group with Japan and the Saudis, they had been forced to settle for third place and further playoffs. There would have been even fewer believers to be found in the months that followed, when a loss to Bahrain and a draw with Indonesia marked a winless opening window, the departure of Graham Arnold and the hiring of Tony Popovic with just weeks to prepare for fixtures against China and Japan. Perhaps it was that well-trodden cynicism rearing its head once more, but anything less than a win over China at that point – especially if it was followed by a heavy defeat away in Saitama – would have sparked existential fears for the Australian campaign. Not only would automatic qualification have all-but disappeared at that point, but the prospect of falling to the foot of Group C and being eliminated from qualification entirely, somehow conspiring to miss the gigantic safety net afforded by the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, would have come into focus. Needless to say, this would have proven cataclysmic. Fortunately for those of a green and gold persuasion, this is a doomsday scenario that has now been consigned to the dustbin of what-ifs and alternative universes. Instead, after their wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia during this June window, the Socceroos remain undefeated under the charge of Popovic. A crucial 3-1 win over China and a 1-1 draw with the Samurai Blue during his first window in charge kickstarted a run of form that has seen them take five wins and three draws from the eight games of his tenure. Brought in to stabilise a campaign that was teetering on the edge of disaster, the 51-year-old has delivered exactly what was asked of him when Football Australia turned to him in their hour of need. It often hasn't been via the prettiest of football. Sometimes it's been downright ugly. But to now, it's proven effective. Popaball does what it says on the can and, crucially, in the outcome-based world of international football, proves exactly what the side needed to do. On a personal level, this will mean the world to the 58-cap Socceroo, the first member of the 'Golden Generation' to lead the team to a World Cup. The reverence with which Popovic speaks about the national team and being able to represent Australia stretches well beyond his tenure in charge and, while there have been plenty of highs over the years in his coaching career, it's doubtful any will have tasted as sweet as this. On a historical level, Popovic is now the third successive Australian coach to guide the Socceroos to a World Cup. All of them built their reputations domestically – something which would have been considered scarcely believable during the side's 32-year absence. He, however, is the first to do so without the need for a playoff. Indeed, with more than a year until the World Cup begins, he'll be afforded more time to prepare for the coming campaign than any other coach in the side's history other than the late Pim Verbeek, and even then he will only trail the Dutchman by a few days. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion The importance of this cannot be underestimated. Now, with qualification in the bag, the likes of Jackson Irvine and Harry Souttar do not need to be rushed back for a tightrope of playoff games. Those such as Alessandro Circati, Mo Toure, and a rising generation of youth, as well as older players invigorated by the chance to play at a World Cup, can be tested and incorporated into the side in carefully planned and curated friendlies. Principles of possession, movement with and without the ball, and press resistance can also be refined, strengthening the hammer that goes with a stout anvil. With the beginning now brought to a successful conclusion, Popovic can now plan for what's next.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Socceroos taken from brink of disaster to automatic World Cup 2026 qualification
What had once looked fanciful has now become a reality: the Socceroos have qualified automatically for the 2026 World Cup. For the first time in over a decade there will be no playoff heroics required, no ice cold hat-trick from Mile Jedinak or shootout dancing from Andrew Redmayne. After a 1-0 win over Japan in Perth and a 2-1 win against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, Tony Popovic's team have done it the easy way, joining Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, and Japan from Asian qualifying in North America next year. Related: Socceroos secure World Cup place with come-from-behind win over Saudi Arabia Advertisement Had this scenario been presented when the draw for this phase of qualification was made, few would have believed it. Not just because Australian football has bred its own unique brand of cynicism over the years, but also because the last two times Australia's men had been sorted into a group with Japan and the Saudis, they had been forced to settle for third place and further playoffs. There would have been even fewer believers to be found in the months that followed, when a loss to Bahrain and a draw with Indonesia marked a winless opening window, the departure of Graham Arnold and the hiring of Tony Popovic with just weeks to prepare for fixtures against China and Japan. Perhaps it was that well-trodden cynicism rearing its head once more, but anything less than a win over China at that point – especially if it was followed by a heavy defeat away in Saitama – would have sparked existential fears for the Australian campaign. Not only would automatic qualification have all-but disappeared at that point, but the prospect of falling to the foot of Group C and being eliminated from qualification entirely, somehow conspiring to miss the gigantic safety net afforded by the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, would have come into focus. Needless to say, this would have proven cataclysmic. Fortunately for those of a green and gold persuasion, this is a doomsday scenario that has now been consigned to the dustbin of what-ifs and alternative universes. Instead, after their wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia during this June window, the Socceroos remain undefeated under the charge of Popovic. A crucial 3-1 win over China and a 1-1 draw with the Samurai Blue during his first window in charge kickstarted a run of form that has seen them take five wins and three draws from the eight games of his tenure. Brought in to stabilise a campaign that was teetering on the edge of disaster, the 51-year-old has delivered exactly what was asked of him when Football Australia turned to him in their hour of need. It often hasn't been via the prettiest of football. Sometimes it's been downright ugly. But to now, it's proven effective. Popaball does what it says on the can and, crucially, in the outcome-based world of international football, proves exactly what the side needed to do. Advertisement On a personal level, this will mean the world to the 58-cap Socceroo, the first member of the 'Golden Generation' to lead the team to a World Cup. The reverence with which Popovic speaks about the national team and being able to represent Australia stretches well beyond his tenure in charge and, while there have been plenty of highs over the years in his coaching career, it's doubtful any will have tasted as sweet as this. On a historical level, Popovic is now the third successive Australian coach to guide the Socceroos to a World Cup. All of them built their reputations domestically – something which would have been considered scarcely believable during the side's 32-year absence. He, however, is the first to do so without the need for a playoff. Indeed, with more than a year until the World Cup begins, he'll be afforded more time to prepare for the coming campaign than any other coach in the side's history other than the late Pim Verbeek, and even then he will only trail the Dutchman by a few days. The importance of this cannot be underestimated. Now, with qualification in the bag, the likes of Jackson Irvine and Harry Souttar do not need to be rushed back for a tightrope of playoff games. Those such as Alessandro Circati, Mo Toure, and a rising generation of youth, as well as older players invigorated by the chance to play at a World Cup, can be tested and incorporated into the side in carefully planned and curated friendlies. Principles of possession, movement with and without the ball, and press resistance can also be refined, strengthening the hammer that goes with a stout anvil. With the beginning now brought to a successful conclusion, Popovic can now plan for what's next.
The National
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The National
UAE can still go to World Cup with 'great coach' Cosmin Olaroiu, says Caio Canedo
Caio Canedo, the UAE forward, says the national team still believe they can qualify for the World Cup, even if the route to get there has now changed. A goalless draw with Uzbekistan in Abu Dhabi on Thursday night sent the Central Asian side directly to the finals in United States, Canada and Mexico next year. The UAE will instead face an extra phase of the qualifying process. They will play in a three-team pool over the course of a week in October, alongside two other third or fourth placed sides from the third round of Asian qualifying. The winners of that will go to the World Cup. Those will be the 13th and 14th matches the UAE will have played in the convoluted competition structure in Asia. Even then, it is possible the process could be extended into an extra two rounds. The second placed sides in October's tournament will then face play-offs to make it into an intercontinental tournament which will decide the final qualifiers for the World Cup. Despite the seemingly never-ending journey, Canedo said the UAE 'project' still feels new. That is because of the belated arrival of Cosmin Olaroiu as coach, in a move which has apparently infused the squad with new belief. Candeo spoke after Thursday's goalless draw against Uzbekistan in Abu Dhabi that left them third in Group A of Asian qualifying. His comments came before the Football Association on Sunday stood down two of his teammates, Khaled Al Dhanhani and Sultan Adil, from the squad travelling to Kyrgyzstan for Tuesday's final match for an unspecified 'violation'. 'There is a feeling of disappointment because only the victory mattered, but we can still go to the World Cup, just in a different way,' Canedo said. 'If you see the players now, nobody is happy. But we have to believe in the project, we have to believe in the new coach, a great coach with new ideas. 'It is still the beginning, with a new project and ideas and we are all working together. We have got to keep going. We still have another way to go through.' Canedo, the Al Wasl forward, was introduced late on against Uzbekistan as the home side tried to find a way through a resolute backline. They fell short, though, as the visitors secured the point they needed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time. 'We knew it would be difficult,' Canedo said. 'We were very optimistic to win, and I think the team played a good game. 'We fought, and the circumstances of the game meant they would play with five [at the back], tall guys, who were physically strong. 'We had chances, and they just had one when they hit the post. We are building an identity, a new project, new idea, new formation and new players. 'We need time. Of course, we don't have this time, but we need it. There are no excuses, we just have to keep working hard, talk less, and we still have a chance to go through.' Canedo, Hareb Abdullah and Yahya Al Ghassani were all introduced as second-half substitutes. Each of them has had an impact on the UAE's qualifying campaign, even though they were light on game time for their club sides at times last season. For his first match in charge, Olaroiu brought Ali Saleh and Majed Hassan back into the starting line up after long absences. Each has been playing regularly in the UAE Pro League; Saleh as captain of Al Wasl, and Hassan in the engine room of Olaroiu's Sharjah side who were runners-up to Shabab Al Ahli. Olaroiu said after the draw against Uzbekistan the absence of national team players from club duty is a problem that needs to be solved. 'When we thought about the starting game, we thought about the players who play regularly in their clubs, because they have to have minutes in their legs,' Olaroiu said. 'That is one thing we have to have in consideration when we select the first XI. We need the players to play and this is a problem. Some of the players don't play too much in their clubs.' The UAE will face Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek on Tuesday in their last match in this phase of Asian qualifying.
The National
06-06-2025
- Sport
- The National
UAE coach Cosmin Olaroiu still believes in ‘once in a lifetime chance' of World Cup qualification
The difference could not have been any more acute. While the emotions poured out of Uzbekistan's players, officials, media and supporters in scenes of mass euphoria, the UAE were merely numb. Not disconsolate. Just flat. Just as their performance had been on a frustrating first night for new coach Cosmin Olaroiu. It is not over for the national team. But they would certainly have preferred to have been in their opposition's boots on a peculiar night in Abu Dhabi. The Uzbeks had achieved the dream: a first ever appearance at a World Cup. They had done so with courage and skill, too, if not necessarily panache. All they needed was a point to secure the second automatic qualifying place from this stage of Asian qualifying. If it was achieved via a stalemate, then so be it. They blocked up the middle of the field, massed the defence, and the UAE realistically got nowhere near as a result. It was a defensive masterclass, which brought with it an outpouring of joy. The Uzbek section at the Al Nahyan Stadium was kept to around 1,000 fans. Yet hundreds more had made it inside, while thousands of others were left outside, wanting to share in their moment of history. When it was achieved, players and staff were in tears. Utkir Yusupov, the goalkeeper who was named player of the match on behalf of his side's defensive effort, fell to his knees and cried. Just as the dedications were starting – to the president, and all the people of Uzbekistan – the press conference was ambushed by fevered players. Some traded doppis – the traditional Uzbek skullcap – with thrilled travelling journalists. Abdukodir Khusanov, the Manchester City defender who had coincidentally achieved his ambition in a match played in the city of his ultimate employers, hugged anyone and everyone. Timur Kapadze, the Uzbek manager, had a brief and unspectacular stint playing for Sharjah for a few months back in 2012. His opposite number, Olaroiu, had arrived direct from the same club amid much fanfare about what he could achieve in his new posting with the UAE. A new manager bounce was required from a UAE side who needed two wins from their final two games to stand a chance of progressing directly to the World Cup. It did not quite work out that way. The goalless draw rendered that impossible, meaning they will now have to navigate an extra round in October. 'The disappointment is very big because it was very near,' Olaroiu said. 'We controlled more, had more possession, had more chances than them, but unfortunately we didn't score. 'It was not exactly the perfect game and I think we can improve. We have to continue to believe and fight for the second chance that we are going to have in October. 'Uzbekistan tried to keep it 0-0 and they did it in the end. For them to qualify, it is a big achievement for their football. Now, we hope it will be our turn.' The home team had 62 per cent of possession, but the chances they were able to fashion were few. When they did eke out openings, Yusupov was good enough to repel them. He turned away a Lucas Pimenta header, as well as low shots from Fabio De Lima and Yahya Al Ghassani. Despite the draw, all is not lost. The UAE head to Bishkek next for a match against Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday that is now essentially meaningless. It will, though, be another chance for Olaroiu to impress his ideas on a set of players whom he has been with for barely a week so far. He does now have the chance to build something for the next shot at qualification. The fourth round of the Asian qualifying process will involve six teams, playing in two groups in October. The third and fourth placed teams from the current round will be split into two groups of three. The sides will then play each other once each over the course of a week, with the winners advancing to the United States, Canada and Mexico next year. So far, four of the teams involved are confirmed: the UAE, Qatar, Iraq and Indonesia. Saudi Arabia will almost certainly be involved, while the other team will be either Oman or Palestine. Olaroiu said the incentive at that event will be massive. Now is the time to work out the details of how to bring about success. ' You have a once in a lifetime chance,' Olaroiu said. 'I don't think you should talk about motivation as much as preparation. 'That is the most important thing. Now is the end of the season, we have a break, then the clubs will start their preparations. 'In September, there is [an international] break and we will have some friendly games. The preparation is very, very important because the work the clubs will do now will influence it.'
