Welcome to tonight's live coverage of the AFC Asian Cup final group match against Uzbekistan.
The last match between the two teams was in the previous Asian Cup in 2019, where Australia won over Uzbekistan on penalties after the match remained scoreless for 120 minutes in the round of 16.
The Australian national team has already qualified for the round of 16 in this year's tournament, after winning its first two matches, but tonight's match still holds great importance for the Australians.
Finishing first in Group B should see Australia face an easier opponent in the first match of the knockout stages.
A draw or win will ensure the Australians stay in first place and face the third-placed nation from Groups A, C and D.
The loss will leave the Socceroos in second place in their group, with a round of 16 clash against the second-placed nation in Group F looming.
Follow below for live coverage.
Arnold in attack
– France Press agency
Graham Arnold has responded with a prickly response to suggestions that his Australia side are too defensive as title contenders look to finish the group stage of the Asia Cup on a strong note.
The Socceroos have reached the last 16 in Qatar even before their final group match on Tuesday against Uzbekistan thanks to a 2-0 win over India and a 1-0 defeat over Syria.
Syria's powerful win came from a neat pass from Jackson Irvine and a shot just before the hour mark – the Australian's only shot on target all match. Syria also fired one bullet at the target.
Arnold said afterwards that “clean sheets win trophies”, but said on the eve of the Uzbekistan match that the comment had been unfairly misconstrued.
“My methods are to play attacking football and press high,” he said on Monday.
“I was asked a question about winning this tournament and I said a clean sheet would help you in this tournament.
I think the Australian media may have read that the wrong way, as usual. “The important thing is that the players know their roles and jobs. We played two teams where we spent a lot of time in their half.
“We created a fair number of chances, we just couldn't finish it individually.” Arnold, who led Australia to the last 16 at the World Cup in Qatar before eventually terrorizing holders Argentina with a 2-1 defeat, will be without starting striker Mitchell Duke against Uzbekistan due to a hamstring injury.
This means making adjustments to his attacking formation, but returning to the previous topic, he again objected to a question indicating that his team is too negative.
“Like I said, I don't know where you learned that we're a defensive team,” he told a reporter.
“We have a job to do defensively,” said the 60-year-old, whose team will want to top the group for a theoretically easier round in the knockout stages.
“We are an attacking team that knows how to defend.”
