Young excellence, promotion battles, and a happy farewell: The Australian team of the week from players around the globe
Even though St.Pauli ultimately lost a high-scoring affair, Jackson Irvine was a standout, as well as scoring a late goal.
Australia face an uphill battle to make it out of the 2020 Copa America group stage, after the draw reveal today put them in the same group as tournament hosts Argentina.
Graham Arnold’s side has been placed in the South zone, alongside Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. Australia’s opening match will be against Uruguay – against whom the Socceroos famously secured qualification for the 2006 World Cup. You can view the full Socceroos Copa America fixtures here.
The North zone group will comprise Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Qatar – the other guest nation. The group stage will consist of a five-match round-robin, with the top four teams in each group progressing to the quarter-finals.
The Socceroos were invited, alongside the 2022 World Cup hosts, by CONMEBOL to compete in the 47th edition of Copa America between June 12 and July 12, 2020. CONMEBOL have invited guest nations from the North American and Asian confederations since 1993. While no guest nation has ever managed to win the tournament, Mexico did reach the final in 1993 and 2001.
At the time of invitation last year, FFA chairman Chris Nikou said he was “ecstatic” that the Socceroos would be participating in the tournament. “We have been working hard over the last six months to improve our international relationships. This week we held fruitful final discussions with our colleagues at CONMEBOL in Paris and we are delighted we have been able to accept this invitation,” he said.
FFA CEO David Gallop said, at the time, that the Socceroos would “benefit from the experience of testing themselves out against some of the best players in the world.”
Having risen two places to no.42 in the latest FIFA men’s rankings, Australia are the fifth-ranked side in their group, behind Uruguay (5), Argentina (9), Chile (17) and Paraguay (40), while sitting ahead of Bolivia (76).
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Even though St.Pauli ultimately lost a high-scoring affair, Jackson Irvine was a standout, as well as scoring a late goal.
What if we celebrated all of the achievements big and small, and weeded out those hell-bent on bringing down a game that is doing a hell of a lot right?
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.
Nestory Irankunda has sensationally rejected the chance to play at the Paris Olympics this June after a late bid from the Olyroos to include…
Mathew Ryan's tenure at AZ Alkmaar appears to be over, as the Eredivisie side are seemingly moving on from the 93-time Socceroo. The decision…
One down 49 to go. Socceroos striker Kusini Yengi raised some eyebrows this week when he declared himself to be the talisman striker the…