The draw for the round of 18 group is over, and the Australian media is generally not optimistic, and many articles use the word "cruel" to describe the severity of this group. It seems that it is as strong as the second pot team in Asia, and they dare not slack off in the face of this group, let alone the national football team.
Australian media Fox Sports posted an article (pictured above) commenting on this grouping, and the interjection "Not again" in the title is very interesting, fully expressing their reluctance to this grouping. Why reluctantly? Because this is the third consecutive time that they have been in the same group as Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Speaking of the two rivals, Japan and Saudi Arabia, the author expressed concern about the Kangaroo Army with trepidation. Because of the last round of 12, Australia was squeezed to third place in the group by Japan and Saudi Arabia, and had to pass the play-offs to qualify for the World Cup.
The article then mentions the other three group opponents, saying that Australia will also face three low-seeded teams: Bahrain, China and Indonesia.
Regarding the domestic statement that the group of the national football team is the group of death. The outlet had a similar view, writing: "Japan, Saudi Arabia and China are the hardest teams drawn in their bracket. Especially Saudi Arabia, they are more threatening than Uzbekistan and Jordan in the same class. ”
Unexpectedly, the evaluation of the national football team by the Australian media is not low! This may be because of the last round of 12, when the national football team faced Australia with 1 draw and 1 loss, although it was only a draw, but it also made them more or less impressed by the national football team.
Speaking of qualification, the outlet also has little confidence in the prospects of the Kangaroo Army. "This means it would be an absolute disaster for Australia to miss out on qualifying at all, but they will have a better chance of progressing from the third round in either of the other two groups," the article reads. ”
Australian coach Trent Alexander-Arnold was also present at the draw, and his expression was also serious (above).
Despite the dire situation, Alexander-Arnold has confidence in his team. In an interview after the draw, he said that while the minute was challenging, he thought it was a good signing, and the team's only focus was to qualify for the top two in the group this time next year.