The second phase of the Socceroos 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign was announced in Malaysia on March 9. To progress to the 2014 World Cup Finals, Holger Osieck’s Socceroos face a difficult qualification path after being drawn in 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifying Group B with 2011 Asian Cup champions Japan as well as difficult West Asian nations Oman, Iraq and Jordan.
The other 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifying group contains the seeded Korea Republic along with Iran, Lebanon, Qatar and Uzbekistan.
The top two teams from each group will progress directly to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
The two third placed teams from each group will meet in a play-off over two matches (6 and 10 September 2013), with the winner over the two legs to face the a CONMEBOL team in 2013, with the winner of that fixture over two legs then progressing to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals in Brazil.
Socceroos 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification Fixtures
| Date | Fixture | Venue | Start Time (AEST) | Local | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08 June 2012 | Oman vs Socceroos | Sultan Qaboos Stadium | 2.00am | 5.00pm | FOX |
| 12 June 2012 | Socceroos vs Japan | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 8.00pm | 8.00pm | FOX |
| 11 September 2012 | Jordan vs Socceroos | King Abdullah International Stadium | 1.00am | 7.00pm | FOX |
| 16 October 2012 | Iraq vs Socceroos | Al Arabi Stadium | 1.15am | 5.15pm | FOX |
| 23 March 2013 | Socceroos vs Oman | ANZ Stadium | 7.30pm | 7.30pm | FOX |
| 04 June 2013 | Japan vs Socceroos | TBA | 8.30pm | 7.30pm | FOX |
| 11 June 2013 | Socceroos vs Jordan | Etihad Stadium | 7.00pm | 7.00pm | FOX |
| 18 June 2013 | Socceroos vs Iraq | ANZ Stadium | 7.30pm | 7.30pm | FOX |
This is the fourth round of 2014 World Cup Qualifying fixtures after the Socceroos finished top of Group D in the third round, after receiving byes in the opening two rounds of qualification. The Socceroos’ results for the second round of qualification are listed below.
2014 World Cup Qualifying Results
Socceroos 2-1 Thailand
Saudi Arabia 1-3 Socceroos
Socceroos 3-0 Oman
Oman 1-0 Socceroos
Thailand 0-1 Socceroos
Socceroos 4-2 Saudi Arabia
June 14th 2012 @ 9:26am
michael said | June 14th 2012 @ 9:26am | Report comment
The lack of younger players who should have been exposed and tested earlier on is a tactical error and will haunt later if it becomes necessary to blood other players on the fly due to injuries.
Gaining only 2 points from two games will play on the Socceroos if they again draw or in fact lose in any of their next games and could create an air of desperation.
The fact that Japan sit on 7 points from 3 games will act a boost to the other teams competing with the Socceroos. Its not a good position to be in.
I doubt the confidence displayed by Neill and Cahill about the Socceroos getting thru the qualification….
May 11th 2013 @ 8:06pm
John Cavanah said | May 11th 2013 @ 8:06pm | Report comment
The Joey’s have failed to make their world cup Tournament, and so have the Aussie olympic team, and the Socceroo’s are struggling instead of flying through their group.Is the curriculum working, or are we too predictable, and is the curriculum turning our most talented and creative players into robots playing a rigid formation with a number on their back.
Country’s that have won world and European cups generally had 6-7 of the best players in the world playing within their squad, and it would not have made any difference which formation you threw at them.
In my humble opinion we should be encouraging our 12-16 year old players to be creative and adventurous, and spend more time on their individual technique and not on systems of play.Mr Hans Berger comes from a country that has afforded the world some great players and creative individuals,The Dutch can also take the plaudits for giving us Wiel Coerver and his still World No1 Junior coaching program, so why has Hans given Australia such a restricted Development program or Curriculum.Please bring back the individual flair and creativity to our much loved game.