Predictions World Cup Qualifying Asia - Australia vs Bahrain | September 5, 2024

World Cup Qualifying Asia - Australia vs Bahrain
Match Time: 05-09-2024 17:10 Thursday (GMT+7)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Having lost out in the Asian Cup quarter-finals at the start of the year, there was renewed motivation within the Australia ranks to get back on track in their World Cup qualifiers.

Two victories had already been recorded before they made light work of their remaining four games, scoring a further 14 goals and keeping four more clean sheets.

Although context is required with Lebanon, Bangladesh and Palestine the opposition, Graham Arnold will be encouraged by the run of shutouts.

Australia are now on a run of just one defeat in 13 games, that loss to South Korea in the Asian Cup also coming in extra time.

While the level of opposition will step up in the third phase of World Cup qualifying, confidence is high in the camp ahead of attempting to make a positive start.

From the perspective of Bahrain, they will be delighted to have built on their encouraging Asian Cup by reaching this round of the qualification process.

Dragan Talajic's side defeated eventual finalists Jordan in that competition before losing to Japan in the last 16, and that run has been backed up with a four-game unbeaten run.

After routine victories over Nepal, a goalless draw with Yemen secured a top-two spot before they posted a 1-1 stalemate against group winners United Arab Emirates.

Given the Asian powerhouses, including Japan and Saudi Arabia, in their group, further progression is unlikely, yet Talajic will be eager to see how his squad can cope in games of this magnitude.

Prediction: Australia 3-1 Bahrain