Our History in Perth
The Subway Socceroos return to Western Australia for the second straight year, hoping to secure three crucial points against Japan and move a step closer to FIFA World Cup 2026™ qualification.
READ MORE: Subway Socceroos to hold Open Training Session in Perth on Monday 2 June
READ MORE: Discover Perth City / Boorloo for Australia v Japan
Perth Stadium is the backdrop for the grand occasion in what will be the team's first appearance at the venue and final Third Round qualifier on home soil, before traveling to Jeddah to face Saudi Arabia five days later.
The city has played host to a number of internationals in the past, most recently at a similar time last year when the Aussies played Palestine in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ - AFC Second Round of qualifiers.
Here is a rundown of how those games played out.
1975 | 0-0 Draw vs USSR | International Friendly
The first ever national team match to be played in the state came in 1975, just 12 months after the Socceroos' historic first World Cup appearance.
A representative squad from the former nation of the USSR toured Australia, with the side's first clash finishing in a goalless draw, in front of a strong crowd in the suburb of Floreat, just a stone's throw away from the upcoming venue of HBF Park where the Socceroos will return to in June.
1995 | 0-1 Defeat vs Ghana | International Friendly
It would take almost two decades for the Socceroos to return to the west, this time facing an up and coming Ghana outfit at the WACA in mid-1995. Having defeated the West Africans twice in four days prior to the clash, a first-half goal from former Borussia Dortmund star Mallam Yahya remained the difference in Perth.
The match and series was notable due to the emergence of future national team stalwarts Paul Okon and Tony Popovic, who joined the starting side in Perth and impressed immensely.
2005 | 3-0 Win vs Indonesia | International Friendly (Tsunami Disaster Relief)
Australia faced neighbours Indoesia in early 2005 at the former Subiaco Oval, with the aim to help fundraise and support the victims of the previous year's earthquake and tsunami in Northern Sumatra.
The green and gold emerged victorious 3-0 on the night, thanks to a brace from Ante Milicic and a late strike by David Zdrilic. Just like in 1995, the camp saw a number of youngsters star, ready to help Australia qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, including Brett Emerton, Luke Wilkshire, and Jason Culina.
2015 | 5-0 Win vs Bangladesh | FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers™
The first competitive international to be played in Western Australia was also the most dominant, with Australia returning to Perth during the second round of AFC qualifiers, where the Subway Socceroos ran riot in front of a packed HBF Park, defeating Bangladesh 5-0.
An early flurry from Tom Rogic and Mathew Leckie had Australia in front by three just after the half-hour mark before Nathan Burns got his debut international goal to round out an impressive first-half.
Huddersfield Town talisman Aaron Mooy finished off the scoring, having turned provider for almost all the previous goals.
2016 | 2-0 Win vs Iraq | FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers™
Our latest match in Perth was perhaps our most important, with the Subway Socceroos picking up a 2-0 win against Iraq in the final round of FIFA World Cup qualifying, three points which were crucial as Australia eventually qualified for the tournament. Ange Postecoglou's men could have lead within the first ten seconds, with Tomi Juric's strike saved smartly by Iraqi keeper Mohammed Hameed.
Having been frustrated throughout the first half due to resolute defending by the opposition, Australia eventually took the lead in front of 'the shed end' of Perth Stadium, thanks to a pinpoint cross towards the toe of Massimo Luongo.
Juric made up for his earlier miss by dispatching a loose ball following a corner to double the lead and help kick-start the green and gold's march toward the World Cup in Russia.
2024 | 5-0 Win vs Palestine | FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers™
Looking to finish their Round 2 qualification in style, the hosts were awarded a penalty inside five minutes which Kusini Yengi duly dispatched. Twenty minutes later, hometown hero Adam Taggart doubled the advantage from close range and before the break Martin Boyle turned provider again to allow Yengi to complete his brace despite a hint of offside.
Australia began the second stanza in dominant fashion and a slick move culminated in Taggart returning the favour for Boyle for a simple tap-in to make it 4-0. The crowd was also excited to see Nestory Irankunda appear for the Socceroos for the first time on home soil and he made the most of the opportunity - slotting a late penalty for his maiden senior goal for his country.
MATCH DETAILS
Subway Socceroos v Japan
Thursday, 5 June 2025
Perth Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 7.00pm local / 9.00pm AEST
Broadcast: 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: Purchase Here
