AUSTRALIA: QATAR 2022 QUALIFIERS REVIEWED

Australia started their Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament in the second round as far as the Asian region is concerned and they were one of two teams to win all their eight games alongside Japan. The Australians were in drawn in Group B alongside Chinese Taipei, Jordan, Nepal.

A spot in the third round was secured by Australia thanks to the return of 24 points from eight Group B games.

In the third round, Australia have found things tougher in comparison to the second round. They have also been drawn in Group B for the third round of the Asian qualifiers for next year's World Cup tournament. The Australians are in the same group with Saudi Arabia, Japan, Peoples Republic of China (China PR), Oman and Vietnam.

Australia started the group with three straight wins, but things have fallen apart in the last three games thereby falling out of the top two automatic spots for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

The Australians began their campaign in Group B of the third round with an emphatic 3-0 home win over China PR. They made it two straight wins with the 1-0 away win over Vietnam thanks to the first half strike from Rhyan Grant. Australia then made it three wins on the bounce with the 3-1 victory at home to Oman.

The current run of three winless games for the Australians started with the 2-1 loss to hosts Japan on October 12, 2021. It was the first defeat suffered by Australia since their qualifying campaign for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament started. Two successive draws from the qualifiers last month followed the defeat to Japan for the Australians.
In November, Australia played out a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia at home before the 1-1 draw at Oman.

Australia are now in third place on the group standings after six games. They have 11 points, while the top two teamsare Japan (12 points) and Saudi Arabia (16 points).

If they finish in third place, Australia will have to face the third team from Group A for a place in the inter-confederation playoffs.