Australia is about to kick off their 2026 World Cup qualifying marketing campaign in Melbourne as they face Bangladesh on Thursday.
The guests have already superior by means of the primary stage of qualifying by narrowly defeating the Maldives within the playoffs.
Match Preview
After a drought of 32 years with out an look within the World Cup finals, Australia has turn out to be a daily participant in soccer’s most prestigious occasion.
Spectacular performances within the final 5 tournaments, together with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the place they reached the knockout rounds for the second time, have solidified their standing as a formidable staff.
Because the third-highest ranked team in the Asia section of qualifying, Australia is predicted to dominate a gaggle that features Palestine, Lebanon, and Bangladesh.
A top-two end in Group I would secure their advancement to the third and final stage of qualifying, in addition to a assured spot within the 2027 Asia Cup.
Graham Arnold’s aspect shall be seeking to safe consecutive victories after ending a four-game winless streak with a 2-0 conquer New Zealand of their final international match in October.
Alternatively, Bangladesh secured their place within the second spherical of qualifying with a 3-2 mixture victory over the Maldives.
A stoppage-time equalizer from Saad Uddin resulted in a 1-1 draw within the away leg, whereas objectives from Rakib Hossain and Foysal Ahmed Fahim secured a 2-1 victory within the second leg.
Ranked 183rd within the FIFA World Rankings, Bangladesh enters the second stage of qualifying as clear underdogs.
Nonetheless, they’ve confirmed to be a resilient staff, avoiding defeat in regulation time of their final seven matches.
However, their document of 11 losses of their final 15 away video games (with just one win and three attracts) in World Cup qualifying highlights the tough problem they face on Thursday.
Australia’s latest kind in all competitions features a win, two losses, a draw, and one other loss, adopted by a win.
Alternatively, Bangladesh’s kind in World Cup qualifying – Asia features a draw and a win, whereas their total kind consists of a win, a loss, and three attracts.
Staff Information:
Australia might subject a center-back pairing of Harry Souttar and Cameron Burgess, with Ryan Pressure and Jordan Bos working as full-backs.
Mitchell Duke, who has scored in his final two J2 League matches for Machida Zelvia, will lead Australia’s assault.
Charlton goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer and Portsmouth ahead Kusini Yengi are the 2 uncapped gamers within the squad and should characteristic among the many substitutes.
For Bangladesh, midfielder Sohel Rana will serve a one-match suspension following his crimson card within the second-leg victory over the Maldives.
Teenage goalkeeper Mitul Marma will guard the aim, supported by defenders Uddin, Tariq Kazi, Bishwanath Ghosh, and Shakil Hossain. Rakib Hossain and Fahim will present the principle attacking risk for the guests.
Doable Beginning Lineups:
Australia:(4-4-1-1)
Ryan;
Pressure, Souttar, Burgess, Bos;
Boyle, Baccus, Irvine, Goodwin;
Metcalfe;
Duke
Bangladesh:(4-4-2)
Marma;
Kazi, Uddin, Ghosh, S Hossain;
Ridoy, MS Rana, Bhuyan, Rahman Jony;
R Hossain, Fahim
Prediction: Australia 4-0 Bangladesh
Given the huge distinction in rankings, with Australia positioned 156 locations greater than Bangladesh, we anticipate a cushty victory for the Socceroos. The house staff’s superior talent and expertise ought to be evident on the pitch.
