The equation is simple for Australia after their 2-0 victory in China: win their next match and they’ll seal qualification for next year’s tournament.

Australia may now be in the driver’s seat, but the hard work is still to come. Here’s a look at how they performed in their World Cup qualifier against China in Hangzhou.

Nishan Velupillay adds to opener to secure 2-0 win in HangzhouVictory sets up showdown in Saudi in June Jackson Irvine further established himself as the face of the Socceroos, Nishan Velupillay netted his third goal in just his fourth senior international, and Australia weathered a second-half storm to take another step towards securing automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over China. Given that the worst part of it may have come 1,900km away in Saitama, where Saudi Arabia held Japan to a 0-0 draw to stay within touching distance in their qualification group, it was a decent evening for still undefeated national team boss Tony Popovic and his side at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium. Continue reading...

Jackson Irvine puts the Socceroos ahead in a crucial World Cup qualifier.