2023 Australia national soccer team season explained

Club:Australia
Season:2023
Manager:Graham Arnold
Chairman:Chris Nikou
Pattern La1:_aus22h
Pattern B1:_aus22h
Pattern Ra1:_aus22h
Pattern Sh1:_aus22h
Pattern So1:_nikegreen
Leftarm1:FFBB00
Body1:FFBB00
Rightarm1:FFBB00
Shorts1:FFBB00
Socks1:FFFFFF
Pattern La2:_aus22a
Pattern B2:_aus22a
Pattern Ra2:_aus22a
Pattern Sh2:_aus22a
Pattern So2:_aus22a
Leftarm2:222B59
Body2:222B59
Rightarm2:222B59
Shorts2:222B59
Socks2:222B59
Prevseason:2022
Nextseason:2024

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

Summary

At the beginning of March 2023, Australia announced a two-game "welcome home" series, hosting friendly games against Ecuador in Sydney and Melbourne, to celebrate their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign, planning to call-up the majority of the squad.[1] Australia won the first match at CommBank Stadium 3–1, with Jackson Irvine scoring the first goal and assisting Awer Mabil for the second. The third goal was scored by Garang Kuol, marking his first international goal. During the match Aiden O'Neill and Alex Robertson made their international debuts.[2] Ahead of the second match, Graham Arnold made seven changes to the squad, including starting goalkeeper Joe Gauci for his international debut. Australia took the lead with Brandon Borrello scoring his first international goal, but eventually lost 1–2, with Ecuador's Pervis Estupiñán scoring a penalty and Willian Pacho scoring a header. Arnold also substituted on Jordan Bos for his international debut.[3] In mid-June, Australia played Argentina in a rematch of the World Cup Round of 16 match at Workers' Stadium in Beijing.[4] Despite playing an impressive game, Australia lost 2–0 with Lionel Messi opening the scoring early for Argentina and Germán Pezzella heading in the second goal in the second half.[5]

At the end of July 2023, the draw for the groups of the second round of the AFC 2026 World Cup qualifiers was conducted, with Australia drawn in Group I, together with Palestine, Lebanon, and the winner between Maldives and Bangladesh from the first round.[6]

In September 2023, Australia played a friendly game against Mexico in Arlington, Texas. The match ended in a 2–2 draw after Harry Souttar with a header and Martin Boyle with a penalty gave Australia a 2–0 lead which was equalised by a penalty by Raúl Jiménez and a goal by César Huerta.[7]

The following month, October, Australia played a couple of friendlies in London. The first one was in Wembley Stadium against England, a match they lost 0–1, with Ollie Watkins scoring the only goal.[8] In the game Lewis Miller and Mohamed Toure made their debuts for Australia.[9] The second match was the renewal of the Soccer Ashes against New Zealand.[10] Australia won the match 2–0, with Souttar scoring the first and Irvine scoring the second.[11] Despite being eligible for Italy and playing for them at youth level, Alessandro Circati made his debut for Australia, playing well and with composure.[12]

In November, Australia played their first games of the second round of the qualification path for the 2026 World Cup. In the first match, they beat Bangladesh 7–0 in Melbourne, with Souttar and Borrello scoring a goal each, Mitchell Duke scoring a brace, and Jamie Maclaren scoring his second hat-trick for the national team.[13] Also in the game, Kusini Yengi made his debut appearance for Australia.[14] In the second match, Australia beat Palestine 1–0, with Souttar scoring the only goal with a header.[15]

Record

Type GP W D L GF GA
6 2 1 3 8 8
2 2 0 0 8 0
Total 8 4 1 3 16 8

Match results

Friendlies

This section is for matches confirmed by Football Australia, please do not add speculative fixtures.

World Cup qualifiers

Player statistics

Correct as of 21 November 2023 (v.).
Numbers are listed by player's number in last match played

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Socceroos to host Ecuador in 'welcome home' series in Sydney and Melbourne as next FIFA World Cup cycle begins. Samantha. Lewis. ABC News. 1 March 2023.
  2. Web site: Two special debuts & a first goal for Garang Kuol as Socceroos upstage Ecuador. George. Clarke. KeepUp.com.au. 24 March 2023.
  3. News: Youthful Socceroos slump to defeat as Ecuador spoil homecoming encore. Vince. Rugari. The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 March 2023.
  4. News: Football Australia confirm Socceroos will play Lionel Messi's Argentina in Beijing in rematch of World Cup round of 16. ABC News. 22 May 2023.
  5. News: Early Lionel Messi strike helps Argentina see off Australia in friendly. Joey. Lynch. The Guardian. 15 June 2023.
  6. Web site: Subway Socceroos' FIFA World Cup 2026 Second Round Asian Qualifiers confirmed. Football Australia. Socceroos. 27 July 2023.
  7. News: Socceroos draw 2-2 with Mexico in Dallas, with Jackson Irvine suffering ankle injury. ABC News. 10 September 2023.
  8. Web site: England 1-0 Australia: Ollie Watkins scores only goal in international friendly at Wembley. Phil. McNulty. BBC Sport. 13 October 2023.
  9. News: Socceroos take heart from positive night despite Wembley defeat to England. Joey. Lynch. The Guardian. 13 October 2023.
  10. Web site: Socceroos & All Whites to renew trans-Tasman rivalry in London. Keep Up. 11 July 2023.
  11. News: Jackson Irvine seals Socceroos win over New Zealand to claim 'Soccer Ashes'. Joey. Lynch. The Guardian. 17 October 2023.
  12. News: Alessandro Circati debuts in style for the Socceroos against New Zealand. Marco. Monteverde. news.com.au. 18 October 2023.
  13. News: Jamie Maclaren hat-trick finishes off Socceroos' rout of Bangladesh. Joey. Lynch. The Guardian. 16 November 2023.
  14. Web site: Socceroos thrash Bangladesh 7-0 in first WC qualifier. ESPN. 16 November 2023. Striker Kusini Yengi debuted for Australia in the 72nd minute..
  15. News: Harry Souttar heads home to give Australia narrow win over Palestine. Joey. Lynch. The Guardian. 21 November 2023.