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After two draws to open the final group phase of their 2014 World Cup Qualifying campaign the Socceroos simply must return with all three points when they travel to Jordan. We’ll have live scores from 2.00am AEST.
It might not be panic stations yet, but successive draws against Oman and Japan have given Socceroos fans every reason to begin to nervously eye the remaining six fixtures of the qualification stage.
The Socceroos’ ageing squad seem to be creaking toward Brazil and listless performances in friendly losses to Denmark and Scotland haven’t done much to allay fears about the way the team is playing.
After beginning his tenure with a successful 2011 Asian Cup campaign, in which the Socceroos fell in extra time in the final against Japan, Holger Osieck’s goodwill is beginning to fade.
Against a relatively weak Lebanon side last week the Socceroos were able to temporarily right the ship with a 3-0 victory.
They’ll hope to be able to reproduce that form this morning against a Jordan side ranked sixty-two places below them in FIFA’s world rankings.
Jordan began their campaign with a credible 1-1 draw with Iraq at home, but were then given a 6-0 hiding when they travelled to Saitama to meet Japan.
The Socceroos come into this one with a relatively clean bill of health. Importantly, Osieck should be able to call on key players Mark Bresciano, Tim Cahill and Brett Holman.
Jordan are certain to provide a more formidable test at King Abdullah International Stadium in Ammam than they will in the return fixture in Australia next June, but Socceroos fans will rightly be expecting maximum points here.
It is imperative that the Socceroos are able to negotiate these types of West Asian assignments that come with qualifying through the Asian Confederation and the reality is that if they can’t, they might not deserve to be there anyway.
Japan now sit eight points clear in Group B but the Socceroos could also steal a three-point march on the other three teams in the group should they win here.
In a great sign for Socceroos fans, SBS announced yesterday that they’ll be broadcasting the match on a one-hour delay (Coverage at 2.30am AEST, kick-off at 3.00am) and be replaying the fixture at 7.00am AEST.
Will Osieck be able to kick-start the campaign? Find out from 2.00am AEST as we cover the action with live scores.
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