Roar Guru
The Socceroos have the opportunity to seal top spot in Group D with victory against Oman tonight. Join us for comprehensive live score updates and commentary from 1.00am AEDT at the Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex in Muscat.
As Australia’s name was pulled from the glass bowl confirming they’d been drawn along side Saudi Arabia, Oman and Thailand in the second stage of 2014 World Cup qualifying, coach Holger Osieck let out a long deep breath before muttering “Ok, it’s doable.”
After having won their opening three qualifiers, Australia are now on the verge of completing the “doable” at the earliest possible opportunity. A win in Muscat against Oman tonight will confirm Australia’s place in the next stage of qualifying with two games to spare.
Yet the prospect of securing passage into the next stage isn’t the only intriguing element from this fixture.
Will Oseick start in form goal scorer Josh Kennedy instead of the returning Harry Kewell or maybe even a combination of the two?
Does the absence of Tim Cahill mean Brett Holman will play in behind the main striker in a position he’s more accustomed to?
How will the progression of the next generation of Socceroos like Michael Zullo and Matthew Spiranovic go on foreign soil?
On top of all that you’ve also got a desperate group of Omani players who are keen to ensure their World Cup dream isn’t snuffed out on home soil.
When the two teams met in Sydney earlier this year the Australians came out with a comfortable 3-0 win.
However with his job on the line, Oman coach Paul Le Guen, who was originally in line to succeed Pim Verbeek as Socceroos boss before the position eventually went to Holger Osieck, will be plotting to reverse his sides fortunes.
Will the Socceroos make it four wins out of four and advance to the next phase of qualifying? Or can Paul Le Guen spring a surprise?
Join us from 1.00am AEDT for all the action live from Muscat, and post your thoughts on the action below.