All eyes will be on the Socceroos as they look to secure their place in the knockout stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Despite the criticisms over Qatar hosting the World Cup, the Australian men’s national soccer team qualified for the back in June, after a nail biting win over Peru.
Australia has been placed into Group D alongside France, Tunisia and Denmark, for the Group Stage of the World Cup.
While a 4 -1 loss to France was not the ideal start for the Socceroos, a 1-0 win over Tunisia has reginted Australia’s chances to get closer to winning the cup.
It all comes down to the Socceroos match against Denmark, which will be held in the early hours of tomorrow morning (December 1).
Do the Socceroos need to win against Denmark to advance to the knockout stage?
Led by captain Mat Ryan, the Socceroos are on the verge of making the knockout stage of the World Cup.
If successful, this would be only the second time in FIFA World Cup history that Australia have made the Group of 16 knockout stage.
Only the top two teams from each group advance on to the knockouts, and given France has cemented its place at the top, the Socceroos will need to maintain their current position, (second) in order to advance to the next stage.
A win against Denmark would see the Socceroos progress onto the knockouts, regardless of the result between France and Tunisia.
If Australia draws with Denmark, then there’s a good chance the Socceroos would still advance to the next stage, given the likelihood of France defeating Tunisia.
However, a loss for the Socceroos against Denmark would spell the end of their World Cup campaign for 2022.
When do the Socceroos play Denmark?
The Socceroos will take on Denmark at Al Janoub Stadium at 6:00 pm in Qatar on Wednesday.
For those cheering the Socceroos on from home, the game will begin Thursday, 1st December at 2:00am AEDT.
So whether you’re pulling an all-nighter, or setting the alarm for the early hours of the morning make sure you cheer on the green and the gold this Thursday!
Let’s go Socceroos!!
Featured Image Credit: Peter Kováč / Alamy Stock Photo
