Australia face arch-rivals Japan in a gruelling test to qualify for a fourth straight FIFA World Cup.
The Blue Samurai have been drawn as the Socceroos headline opponent in a group including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Thailand.
While three trips to the Middle East won’t please national team coach Ange Postecoglou, the Asian Cup-winning coach is confident of finishing in the top two of the group and progressing to the 2018 tournament in Russia.
Australia avoids Asian Cup finalists Korea in the draw, who will play off in Group B with Iran, Uzbekistan, China, Qatar and Syria.
Since memorably beating Japan at the 2006 World Cup, the two sides have faced each other in two World Cup qualifying campaigns. But it’s been seven years since the Socceroos last triumphed over them, a 2-1 win at the MCG.
Japan scorched through their second-round group, scoring 27 goals without conceding but Postecoglou says he isn’t daunted by the draw.
“As Champions of Asia we will show due respect to all countries but stay focussed on continuing our journey that has aspirations greater than simply qualifying for the World Cup,” he said from Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday night.
“Over the last two years we have built up a very strong portfolio of information on most Asian nations and its players by having scouts at matches and tournaments all over Asia so the players go into every match well prepared.”
Socceroos striker Tim Cahill, who plies his trade in the Chinese Super League, said the draw would be a slog.
“The only good thing is I won’t be responsible for knocking China out,” he told Fox Sports.
“Japan: a country we know, we’ve had a lot of good times against and some hard times. We’ve had some good battles.
“But to make it to such a prestigious tournament you have to beat the best.”
Japan, the world No.57, and Saudi Arabia, the world No.60, have qualified for four World Cups like Australia.
United Arab Emirates and Iraq have made just one tournament each, while Thailand has never reached world football’s major event.
But the three Middle Eastern sides will pose logistical challenges for the Socceroos, largely based in Europe, East Asia and the A-League.
Australia play each side home and away in a qualifying schedule that begins on September 1 with a home tie against Iraq.
They are highly unlikely to play in Iraq, with the war-torn country playing their matches on neutral soil.
A third-place finish in the group would send Australia to a repechage round. A lower finish would end their hopes.
AUSTRALIA’S WORLD CUP QUALIFYING OPPONENTS
Japan (world No.57)
Saudi Arabia (60)
United Arab Emirates (68)
Iraq (105)
Thailand (119)
rasty
Guest
I needed a good bedtime story.... Cheers and night.
Arthur Fonzarelli
Guest
Noone to beat. Most of those teams are completely hopeless hitting the target. TIP: Australia to be practically qualified by this Christmas.
Glen
Guest
Speaking of logistical challenges. It might be difficult for some of Australia's female supporters to organise trips to Saudi Arabia - given the hard time for Wanderers fans.
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
Exactly. Our record in the middle east does not look good - the squad seems lose to donkeys because of the heat. I don't understand how one pool is stacked with consistent WC qualifying teams, and the other mostly full of rubbish. Could be worse - we could be Thailand!
Mark
Guest
It is, basically. Since the fall of Saddam, relations between Iraq and Iran have mostly normalised, so they play in Iran because it's closer than UAE. I suspect there would be quite a few ex-Iraqi shia's in Iran as well.
BtoPower3
Roar Rookie
Usually, they would dive in the box.
whiskeymac
Guest
The away games in the middle east- where we sometimes struggle- loom. Expect the away game to Japan to be a draw at best. Just dont lose at home and snag an away result or two... some good games coming up.
Redsback
Guest
This is a very tough draw - every away game is losable. Will need to develop the right tactics for what I expect will be afternoon games in the Middle East.
jamesb
Guest
As usual, we need to be strong at home. Win 4 or 5 games at home, and then try and jag 2 or 3 results away. It will be tough, but it is still doable.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
The author was discussing the logistical challenges, though I agree the environmental challenges will pose a challenge. At least Australians have a familiarity with dry heat which is what they will face. The Gulf States, Saudi included, have a very large number of overseas workers and as such the air traffic into these places is large and frequent which reduces the logistical grief. Getting into Uzbekistan, now that can lose you an extra day or two.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Good point, AZ. I'd assumed it as they normally played in the Gulf States due to both logistics and the number of Iraqi's working in the region who would draw a decent crowd. Tehran was an interesting choice and it would be good to know the rationale behind it. It could simply be a matter of Sunni-Shia politics, though I hope it isn't.
Midfielder
Guest
3 of our last 4 games are at home.
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
Isn't it more about the weather conditions in the Gulf in September & October? Aussie teams have always struggled in those conditions. Whereas we seem to have less issues with climate in East Asia - esp if it's played during the cooler seasons in East Asia.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Why UAE? They played all their second round games in Tehran.
Johnno
Guest
All matches are tough away, we should be fine at home. Thailand has got much better, the game away in Thailand will be crucial. A Draw should be the goal. 3 away games in the Gulf states will be tough.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Given that Iraq will most likely play in UAE I fail to see how the Middle East poses serious logistical challenges. Most of our squad are coming from Europe which has great connections with hubs such as Dubai which will leave them rather fresh. If anything, our homes games are the ones that pose serious logistical challenges. Another bout with Samurai Blue (we need to get that right, it's not Blue Samurai) is to be savoured and the rivalry between our countries continues to grow.
Midfielder
Guest
Those three middle eastern games will be tough plus Japan.. The draw is good for the A-League with the Japan game just when the A-League is about to start. Plus UAE & Iraq in September . Sep 1: v Iraq (home) Sept 6: v UAE (away) Oct 6: v Saudi Arabia (away) Oct 11: v Japan (home) Nov 15: v Thailand (away) Mar 23, 2017: v Iraq (away) Mar 28: v UAE (home) Jun 8: v Saudi Arabia (home) Aug 31: v Japan (away) Sept 5: v Thailand (home)
Jack
Guest
I think only slightly tougher then group a. Uzbekistan South Korea and Iran very good. In terms of our group it's Showtime real matches no soft results. To stat the absolute obvious Opening match against Iraq is critical to get points. Coaches have really struggled in Middle East and Ange has yet to master it despite his positive results!! He will get his chance v UAE exciting times