The Socceroos’ World Cup hopes are very much alive after an emphatic win against Tunisia on Saturday night.
In a match that had Australian fans on the edge of their seats, the Socceroos recorded a 1-0 victory as they held off Tunisia in the closing stages.
France can consolidate their place in the round of 16 with a win over Denmark.
In Group C, Saudi Arabia come off the back of their surprise win over Argentina and will be looking to finish off the top two finishers from the group stage when they face Poland.
Pre-World Cup favorites Argentina are looking to bounce back with a win, while Mexico can end their campaign with a win.
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11pm (AEDT) – Socceroos 1, Tunisia 0
Australia have done it, the Socceroos have claimed their first World Cup win since the 2010 World Cup after defeating Tunisia 1-0.
Mitch Duke broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute after a deflected cross from Craig Goodwin
Duke received a ball in the middle of the pitch, which the first touch was very beautiful and launched Australia into the attack.
A deflected ball found Goodwin, who focused on a deflection but rebounded high into the box, where a Duke leaped into the air and headed the ball through the keeper’s outstretched hands and into the back corner of the network
“Wow, what a start, amazing,” said the SBS commentary team.
The second half was a very different story as the Aussies were left playing second fiddle as Tunisia threw everything they had at them.
Souttar proved his worth time and again as he repelled Tunisian attacks and kept the Aussies in front.
Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan was a brick wall in front of goal as he made countless saves to keep his nation ahead.
The fans could barely sit still as the final minutes of the game wound down with the Aussies holding on to keep their hopes of progressing out of the group stage alive.
The win is the Socceroos’ first at a World Cup since 2010 and their first clean sheet win at a World Cup since 1976.
9.10pm (AEDT) – The football team’s decision has been roasted
The Socceroos opted to go with an unusual shirt against Tunisia on Saturday night.
Tunisia donned an all-white kit, while the Socceroos ditched the traditional green and gold look for a blue and mint green look.
The decision did not sit well with those who followed.
8.20pm (AEDT) – ‘What the hell’: footballers scream devastated
Socceroos fans have questioned Graham Arnold’s starting XI after he made just one change to the side that lost 4-1 to France.
Fran Karacic comes in at right-back, with Nathaniel Atkinson ruled out through injury.
But fans have wondered why Arnold hasn’t made more changes in a must-win game against Tunisia.
“Worst decision, no changes,” one fan tweeted.
“What the hell does Jamie Maclaren have to do to start,” said one of the striker once again overlooked by Mitch Duke.
Lineup of footballers: Matt Ryan (c); Fran Karacic, Harry Souttar, Kye Rowles, Aziz Behich; Aaron Mooy, Jackson Irvine, Riley McGree; Mat Leckie, Mitchell Duke, Craig Goodwin
Lineup of Tunisia: Aymen Dahmen; Montassar Talbi, Yassine Meriah, Dylan Bronn, Mohamed Drager, Ali Abdi; Aissa Laidouni, Ellyes Skhiri; (c) Naim Sliti, Issam Jebali, Youssed Msakni
7pm (AEDT) – ‘It’s ridiculous’: Arnold lashes out
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has set his sights on developing football in Australia after a string of Asian nations pulled off stunning upsets.
Arnold was asked about the surprising results when he used it as an opportunity to take aim at Australia for not funding the development of young stars.
“I think the World Cup is growing in people and now it’s more about football and the stadiums are getting more and more packed and we just saw Qatar against Senegal and like I said it’s really growing,” Arnold said.
“I think it’s not so much the shock results but the quality of the Asian nations. Asia.. in Australia we don’t respect Asia and what their qualities are. We don’t respect Japan and Saudi Arabia when we played them in the playoffs, everyone thought they were pushovers.
“But the amount of money you see Asian nations putting into the development of the game and what the game needs, compared to Australia, is ridiculous.”
After a disappointing outing in their World Cup opener against reigning champions France, the Socceroos are back at it tonight when they take on Tunisia.
The Aussies need at least a draw to keep alive their hopes of advancing beyond the group stage for the second time in World Cup history.
Arnold was reprimanded for a lackluster game plan against the French, but the manager has confirmed a big change for tonight’s game.
Right-back Nathaniel Atkinson, who suffered an ankle injury in the first game, will be replaced in the starting eleven.
Arnold confirmed that Italy-based defender Fran Karacic would come into the side and that key midfielder Adjen Hrustic was in “good form” and in the frame to return.
“The boys have been shooting fantastically well… so I don’t think there will be too many changes. We have to get our line stronger,” Arnold said.
There have been calls for Arnold to inject striker Jamie Maclaren into the side after the Aussies lacked any firepower against France.
“I don’t want to give away the starting lineup,” Arnold said. “Jamie is a great scorer, “Mitchell Duke works hard. We have some choices to make. At the end of the day I think you’re going to see both of them on the field at some point.”