After 13 2014 World Cup Qualification matches, it all comes down to this. The Socceroos can book their place in Brazil with a victory over Iraq tonight. We’ll have live scores from 7.30pm AEST.
Despite what can only be described as a patchy qualification campaign, Holger Osieck’s Socceroos are in the box seat to get to Brazil.
Three points against the 98th-ranked Iraqis will guarantee the Socceroos second position, while a draw would also see Australia through should Oman fail to beat Jordan.
But should they lose and Oman win, the Socceroos will be forced into a two-legged playoff against the third-placed side in Group A – either Iran, Uzbekistan or Korea – before then facing the fifth-ranked South American qualifier in another two-legged playoff.
Regardless, in front of a full house at ANZ Stadium the home side will be determined to finish the job tonight and re-create the jubilant scenes observed after the Socceroos’ penalty shootout victory over Uruguay in 2005.
They’ve been boosted by several disruptions to the Iraq starting lineup for tonight, who travelled to Australia having had their own 2014 World Cup dream extinguished by Japan in Doha last Tuesday.
Both Younis Mahmoud and Nashat Akram have withdrawn from the game due to a dispute with the Iraq FA, while Alaa Abdul-Zahra will also be missing through suspension.
Osieck is expected to field an unchanged – or close to unchanged – lineup from the one that defeated Jordan 4-0 in Melbourne last Tuesday.
After polished performances Robbie Kruse, Tommy Oar and Mark Bresciano will almost certainly line up in their respective positions in Australia’s midfield, as will Brett Holman in behind Tim Cahill.
The only real question seems to be whether Mark Milligan retains his place as one of the two holding midfielders or whether Osieck opts to bring in Crystal Palace midfielder Mile Jedinak.
A quick glance at recent history between the two sides might make Socceroos fans slightly anxious and captain Lucas Neill might be feeling the same way having labelled Iraq a “bogey team” earlier in the week.
Iraq shocked Australia 3-1 at the 2007 Asian Cup before edging the Socceroos 1-0 in a 2010 World Cup Qualifer in Doha back in 2008, and the Socceroos required to late goals to record a come-from-behind 2-1 victory when the two sides met last year during this campaign.
In all likelihood this game should be decided in the opening half hour tonight.
If the Socceroos begin with the initiative and willingness to attack that they showed against Jordan, they could seal this game reasonably early and Iraq heads will drop if Australia score quickly.
But if they don’t, the visiting side will grow in confidence and it could be a nervous 90 minutes across the country.
Will the Socceroos book their place in Brazil tonight? Let us take you through the 90 minutes with live scores and commentary from 7.30pm AEST, and leave your predictions, thoughts and observations below as the action unfolds.
Photos: Paul Barkley / LookPro Photography
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Stevo
Guest
You might be right .. I was getting swept up in the moment ... either way I like what he said !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cameron
Roar Guru
Id have to watch again but I thought he said we'll continue to do this for the people until football is number one :P
Stevo
Guest
Second best part of the night was Luca$h saying that football will be the biggest code in Oz - surely he wasn't on the Locozade when he uttered those words ????? :)
Stevo
Guest
Socceroo WC2006 old-boy Bresc finds fellow Socceroo WC2006 old-boy Kennedy with an intricately weighted pass for a lovely header to take the Roos to Rio. Always knew it would take the class of 2006 to carry us thru LOL! Hey but who cares now we have a month of viewing in 2014 with friendlies in between. Ole ole ole oleeee, ole ole ....
dinoweb
Roar Guru
We're going to Rio! Didin't sit down for the last 30 minutes. Go you good things!
eagleJack
Guest
That was intense, frustrating, infuriating and then exhilarating !! Great game! Well done boys! Enjoying the Back Page with Timmy and Archie - funny stuff!
Jukes
Guest
Is Holgers contract over? Was he only meant to get us to qualify for the World Cup?
TK
Guest
Mate the people around me were hearts in mouth no but chanted in support.
Jukes
Guest
Jukes said | 8:52pm | Report comment Trust me Vince we are going to win this game. 65th minute comment :D :D
pete4
Guest
Jesus strikes!!! So happy we are now in and have 12 months to prepare PS. Robbie Slater's pre-match comments on Fox predicting a 5-0 result was plain embarrassing
langou
Roar Guru
Amazing feeling just so happy right now. Well done to everyone, it has been an amazing few years, runners up in the Asian Cup and now making the World Cup. What an effort, great mix of youth and experience, managed to pinch a few away points and did a great job at home to get through, well done boys, I am starting to ramble and this is starting to read like a Johnno post. Just wrapped to be at another World Cup
Johnno
Guest
Bozza new look, like Warney a total make over.
Johnno
Guest
Holger said to Mel after the match, about Rio and being coach, Hopefully he didn't sound confident.
JR Salazar
Guest
^_^
JR Salazar
Guest
Boom, baby.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
KA-CHIIIIIIING
JR Salazar
Guest
Welcome back to the show, mates. Congratulations.
jamesb
Guest
WE WON! WE WON! That was so intense, I think now my heart is starting to beat as normal. I give full credit to people who comment on this site through the game. Well done. As for me, I was pacing up and down, especially in the second half. Well done Jesus, you saved us. Onwards to Brasilla, Rio, Sao Paolo and Copacabana GO SOCCEROOS!
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH BAAAAABY!
fadida
Guest
My thought exactly