World Cup

Match Preview: Socceroos v Kuwait

3 min read 3 June 2021

The wait is finally over. More than 18 months after their last hit-out, the Socceroos return to action with a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™️ qualifying fixture against Kuwait on June 4 (AEST).

Graham Arnold takes the national side into action for the first time since recording a 1-0 win over Jordan in November, 2019. It was the Socceroos' fourth win from four qualification fixtures which took Australia to the top of Group B before the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to competitive international fixtures.

The Socceroos resume their qualifying campaign with the first of four fixtures taking place between June 4-16 against a Kuwait side sitting second in Group B on 10 points, two behind Australia (12) on top with four games to play.

Australia will need to hold onto their position on top of Group B or finish as one of the four best runners-up to progress to the third round of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifying for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™️.

Kuwait and Australia last met on September 10, 2019 when the Socceroos travelled to Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium to notch a 3-0 win, with Mathew Leckie scoring a brace and Aaron Mooy adding an eye-catching third late in the first half.

The Socceroos can move five points clear on top of Group B with a win over Kuwait ahead of three remaining fixtures against Chinese Taipei (June 8 AEST), Nepal (June 12 AEST) and Jordan (June 16 AEST).

READ: Socceroos call-up offers 'a massive learning experience' to young gun Genreau

MORE: Up front, or out wide? Leckie ready to 'help the team in both positions'

Australia v Kuwait

Thursday, 3 June 2021 (4 June AEST)
Venue: Jaber Al-Hamad International Stadium
Kick-off: 10.00pm local, 5:00am AEST (Friday morning)
Watch on Fox Sports, Kayo Sports, ABC TV, and My Football Live App.

World Ranking

Australia: 41

Kuwait: 148

READ: New-look Socceroos 'starting from scratch' as Arnold targets four wins from four in Kuwait

Socceroos Squad Training — The Socceroos prepare to face Kuwait at Jaber Al-Hamad International Stadium on June 4 (AEST)

What they said

Socceroos Head Coach Graham Arnold

"In a lot of ways, fortunately for us we’ve been able to analyse what (Kuwait) are doing because they’ve probably played a good ten games during COVID, where we haven’t played any.

"We know exactly what they’ve got, what style they play, how they play, but for me I’ve always been a coach that 75 to 80% is focus on ourselves and what we can control.

"So we’ll go out and nullify their strengths and expose their weaknesses, and as I said I expect a great performance and three points."