It is likely one of the main tales of the 2022 Qatar World Cup that Australia have made their method by to the spherical of 16 after coming second in a bunch containing France, Tunisia and Denmark. Many folks assumed Australia would end on the backside of that group, however as an alternative they certified in second.
At this stage, every thing is a bonus for Australia and getting knocked out within the subsequent spherical wouldn’t cease the event from being a serious success. That is simply as nicely, as they’re developing towards Argentina.
While they could not have been scintillating within the group stage, Argentina are nonetheless one of many main favourites to win the entire event. Australia have been simply crushed 4-1 by France of their Group D opener, however a 1-0 win over Tunisia saved the dream alive. They then beat a disappointing Denmark facet 1-0 to undergo as one of many best-performing group runners-up.
Here at 90min, we’re going to try which 5 gamers Australia shall be relying upon to trigger a serious upset within the spherical of 16.
The Australia goalkeeper has been spectacular for the Socceroos thus far within the group stage and if ever there’s a sport the place he might summon his best-ever show, it’s this one. The 30-year-old didn’t get an excessive amount of sport time for Real Sociedad and has since moved to FC Copenhagen, however he did get 28 clear sheets within the Premier League for Brighton in 124 video games.
He is a type of goalkeepers who has the flexibility to supply a herculean efficiency every so often. His crew might actually need that towards Argentina and it might make for an epic spectacle.
If Mathew Ryan goes to want the sport of his life to maintain the likes of Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria and Julian Alvarez out, the identical might be mentioned for Stoke centre-back Harry Souttar.
He has been a rock on the again for Australia within the group phases and can should be even higher within the spherical of 16. The proven fact that Australia shipped 4 towards France shall be a fear, however classes might nicely have been discovered.
Seeing as Souttar has been so spectacular and solely lately turned 24 years outdated, he may very well be set to earn a giant transfer off the again of this event.
St Pauli midfielder Jackson Irvine has been one of many key gamers for the Australians on the World Cup thus far. His creativity and want in midfield has lifted these round him and he seems to be to be one of many main leaders within the dressing room.
He has bought over 50 appearances for the nationwide crew now and whereas he’s but to contribute a objective or help, he shall be tasked with preserving everybody disciplined and concentrated within the center for Australia towards Argentina.
Possibly the most important identify within the Australia squad, it was Mathew Leckie who despatched his crew into the spherical of 16. The 31-year-old has over 75 Australia appearances to his identify and has spent most of his profession enjoying in Germany.
He grabbed a objective and an help within the group stage and he’s the most certainly participant to attain for the Socceroos towards Argentina. You’d assume that one massive probability will come to Leckie, and he may very well be very nicely positioned to take it.
The World Cup can typically reward confidence and momentum greater than outright high quality, and that may very well be what makes Craig Goodwin so necessary. He scored the opening objective towards France and the 30-year-old lately turned Adelaide United’s all-time main goalscorer as he netted his forty fifth objective for the crew.
He is in a great second in his profession and it could be the crowning second if he might assist his crew produce one of many main upsets of World Cup historical past by beating Argentina.
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