Soccer: Socceroos target winning start

Australia return to World Cup qualifying duty when they take on Bahrain on the Gold Coast on Thursday evening.

The Socceroos started the campaign well, winning all six of their second-round qualifiers, and now move on to the next phase.

Graham Arnold’s men have been drawn in Group C for the third round of qualifiers, where the standard will go up a level.

As well as facing Bahrain in the opening game of the group, the Socceroos will also come up against Japan, Saudi Arabia, China and Indonesia.

They will take on Indonesia in the second game of the group on Tuesday 10th September, and it is important they get off to a strong start.

Three points against Bahrain in Queensland is a must and the Socceroos can take heart from the fact they have won all six meetings between the two sides.

. What: Australia v Bahrain
. Where: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
. When: 20:10 (AEST), Thursday 5th September
. How to watch: Channel 10, Paramount+

Head-to-heads

The Socceroos have a 100 percent win record against Bahrain, playing six and winning six.

The last time the two nations met was earlier this year when the Socceroos ran out 2-0 winners in their final warm-up game before the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.

Mitch Duke was on target for one of the goals, while the other was an own goal.

Bahrain have managed to score just one goal against the Socceroos over the six games, and that was back in 2006 when Australia won 3-1.

The Socceroos have won the last four games 1-0, 2-0, 1-0 and 2-0.

Irankunda fears dismissed

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has dismissed reports suggesting that Nestory Irankunda is an injury concern ahead of the Bahrain clash.

Reports had circulated suggesting the young forward had picked up an injury while training with his new club, Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich.

However Arnold says he has spoken with the 18-year-old, who reported a clean bill of health as he made his way over to the Gold Coast.

Irankunda is sure to start against Bahrain after making his debut in the second-round qualifier against Palestine.

He scored from the penalty spot in that game and is sure to be a big threat against Bahrain.

Keeper concerns for Arnold

The Socceroos have three excellent goalkeepers in their squad, but unfortunately two of them are getting no game-time at their clubs.

Mat Ryan and Joe Gauci are with AS Roma and Aston Villa respectively, and although they are two huge clubs, they are having to watch from the sidelines.

Paul Izzo is the only goalkeeper getting minutes with Danish side Randers, and there is a good chance he will make his debut.

Arnold says all three goalkeepers are training hard and the final decision will be made closer to kick-off.

Socceroos Squad

Keanu Baccus, Aziz Behich, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Thomas Deng, Cameron Devlin, Mitchell Duke, Joe Gauci, Craig Goodwin, Nestory Irankunda, Jackson Irvine, Paul Izzo, Awer Mabil, Connor Metcalfe, Lewis Miller, Joshua Nisbet, Aiden O'Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Sam Silvera, Harry Souttar, Adam Taggart, Kusini Yengi.