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It’s almost must-win circumstances for the Socceroos when they host Jordan in the penultimate game of their 2014 World Cup Qualifying Group B campaign. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 7.00pm AEST.
Here’s the scenario for the Socceroos football match against Jordan starting at 7.00pm AEST.
Australia are currently third in Group B of the Asian Football Confederation World Cup qualifiers, and they need to be in the top two to go straight through to the World Cup finals in Brazil in 2014.
If the Socceroos finish third in their group, they’ll play off against the third-placed side in Group A, and then the winner must play the equivalent team from the South American confederation for a place in the final.
That’s a situation we obviously would like to avoid, and the good news is that Australia controls their own destiny – win both of their final two qualifying matches, and they’re guaranteed a spot.
A loss or draw complicates matters. If we lose, we forfeit all chance of direct qualification.
A draw gives the control to second-placed Oman – they’ve only got one game left, but their two-point lead would transfer the ‘win-and-they’re-in’ scenario to them.
Last week Australia drew 1-1 with Japan, who sealed their spot in the finals with the draw – the first non-host team to qualify for Brazil.
It was an end-to-end game with both sides having chances, and Australia went up in the 82nd minute when Tommy Oar’s deflected cross sailed over the Japanese defence into the net.
Heartbreak for Australia happened just ten minutes later with Matt McKay handballing in the box, and the Japanese captain, Honda, made no mistake from the spot.
It was nevertheless a strong performance from the 47th ranked Socceroos against the 32nd ranked Japanese outfit.
The 75th ranked Jordan outfit are definitely outsiders coming into this game, but their recent form has been impressive, notching up 1-0 victories in friendlies against Libya (FIFA rank: 69) and New Zealand (57).
The previous qualifier between Australia and Jordan was back in September 2012, and although Australia managed more shots on target the Jordanians won 2-1, thanks to goals in the 50th minute to Abdel-Fattah (from a questionable penalty) and 73rd minute to Amer Deeb.
Archie Thompson was the away side’s only scorer.
In the qualifiers at large, Jordan have seen more success, with Hassan Mahmoud leading the entire AFC list with seven goals, and Ahmad Ibrahim close behind on six. Australia’s Josh Kennedy is our top man with four.
The action kicks off at 7.00pm AEST, and we’ll have live commentary on The Roar, so leave your thoughts below.
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