Australia news

Mark Milligan has given the thumbs-up to the Socceroos new formation, despite a 1-1 draw with Iraq in Tehran on Thursday.

Goalscorer Mathew Leckie has rued the lack of a killer instinct after the Socceroos were held to a 1-1 draw by Iraq in their World Cup qualifier.

Socceroos keeper Mitch Langerak felt Australia dropped two points after scrapping with Iraq in a 1-1 draw in Tehran on Thursday.

Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou rued his side’s second half display and inability to control large parts of the contest after a 1-1 draw with Iraq.

Brad Smith is locked in a battle with Aziz Behich for a starting spot on the left for the Socceroos in tonight's crucial World Cup qualifier with Iraq

"We'll be going at it like it's our last game as we're always told to do."

"We're expecting a tough game and we expect a tough game every time we play, but when we're in camp we talk about Australia."

Coincidentally, all six of the top-three teams in Groups A and B of the qualifiers will play away to a bottom-three side in this round.

There were one or two familiar faces when Musti Amini arrived in Tehran to link up with the Socceroos this week - including one old school mate.

Competition for places is heating up in the Socceroos squad as players come into camp bang in form ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and UAE.

"I feel like I’ve ticked some boxes but I also feel there’s a lot to fulfil. I don’t see myself as a player who wants to finish any time soon..."

Mustafa Amini is glad to receive his first call-up to Ange Postecoglou's Australia squad, but he's eager to get on the field.

Chris Ikonomidis and Alex Gersbach were among the players cut from Ange Postecoglou's squad this week and will head to Spain rather than Iran