The Socceroos’ next two World Cup qualifiers have been announced for late March as they continue their path towards Russia in 2018 with games against Iraq and the United Arab Emirates.
Australia will play Iraq on the 23rd of March, but the two sides will travel to a neutral ground with the fixture being scheduled in Iran to be held at the PAS Stadium in Tehran.
The game will be the first time Australia has played in Tehran since a World Cup qualifiers in 1997, where they battled the home nation to a one-all draw in front of a mammoth 110,000 strong crowd.
It will be an afternoon match-up, meaning Australians will get to see the action from 11pm (AEDT).
The Socceroos will then travel back home for their key Group B match-up against the UAE in Sydney on Marc 28.
Australia currently sits third in the group behind Saudi Arabia and Japan, and are tied on points with the UAE leading into the crucial second half of the final stage of World Cup qualification.
The top two sides of the group will automatically qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, while the third-placed side will go to a playoff against Group A’s third-placed side.
The winner of that clash will go to another play-off, this time against the fourth-placed side from the Central and North American qualifying groups.
Australia vs Iraq – March 23, 11pm (AEDT) – PAS Stadium, Tehran, Iran
Australia vs UAE – March 28, 8pm (AEDT) – Allianz Stadium, Sydney
| Group B | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | +/- | Points |
| Saudi Arabia | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 10 |
| Japan | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 10 |
| Australia | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| UAE | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| Iraq | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| Thailand | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -9 | 1 |
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
The dynamics are interesting at the moment with the Shiites dominating Iraqi politics which partly accounts for the heavy Iranian support for the Popular Mobilisation Units who have had a significant role on the Nineveh Plain and are increasing their involvement under Iraqi Army guidance in the impending assault on West Mosul (the East having just been won). That said, not many turned up to their last fixture in Tehran so you may have a point.
Bakkies
Guest
Persians cheering on the Iraqis, can't see it myself
punter
Guest
Firstly Mark, I do not disagree with your analysis on whether we have the cattle or not. However, I'm in the camp, where Australia has to improve their ability on the ball, this is the missing ingredient that we are missing at present. I'll give you the example of England, they qualify pretty for WC easily because they have some real quality players, but when it comes to the big show, they come unstuck because they do not have the patience or the ability to hold the ball for long periods. You see in the A-League the teams are trying to play out from the back & you see many goals from the pressing, yes, but then this makes the players practice harder on ball retention or get replaced by a player better capable of doing do. But when it works like in the SFC's Brosque goal against Adelaide (27 completed passes), it looks good. I am in the camp that hopes Australia continues with plan A even if we might not have the cattle. the only way to get the cattle is to keep playing this way.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
True, though I thought the game may attract quite a number of Iranians who, given the current state of politics in the Middle East, would be more likely to cheer on their neighbours.
AZ_RBB
Guest
New A-League logo https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C27LrftUsAArDts.jpg
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
I am both champing at the bit to see the national team in action again and dreading it at the same time. I know what Ange wants to do, and I know we have been good at bossing the lesser teams, but I fear we don't have the cattle to do it against higher quality teams that can adjust, and I think we need to have plan b style to cater for different opponents. I keep thinking back to the Thailand match and how lucky we were. Hopefully the boys in gold can win the next 2 matches and the Saudis and Japan drop some points to get us back on top.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Wasn't the UAE match announced months ago?
pacman
Guest
Neutral venue Ben. Could be difficulties for many Iraqi supporters to make the trip.
Nemesis
Guest
Alex Gersbach will also be eligible for u23 Olyroos Squad for Tokyo2020. We must not forget there are lots of decent u23 AUS footballers not currently playing in the Aleague. Jake Brimmer (Liverpool), Panos Armenakas (Udinese), Joshua Laws (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Thomas Prinsen (PEC Zwolle)
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
The PAS Stadium is a very small venue, which will be something of a change for the Socceroos. I thought they would have gone with a larger venue.
Nemesis
Guest
Thomas Deng and Seb Pasquali. Remember these 2 names. They started as MVFC academy players at NPL level. Then they progressed to the Senior Team. They're so impressive PSV & Ajax signed them after watching them play for MVFC. Both these players would walk into any u23 team before any of the 26 players listed in the current training squad. I notice Scott Galloway in the u23 squad. So, CCM gets credit for him even though MVFC gave him his start in pro-football?
Midfielder
Guest
G Very true
Griffo
Roar Guru
Mid, it was interesting that clubs didn't want to lose some/all these players for an invitational tournament that the Olyroos were invited to which could disrupt preparations. Apparently the political fallout wasn't too good either. From game time perspective Gombau now has this intra-team games to work on rather than games against senior club sides in a meaningful mini-tournament. National vs club interests doesn't raise it's head here as much as it might in other leagues, but this might be a first for the Olyroos (or it might not). Can't claim that clubs aren't giving youth a go, or can it be said they are getting in the way of national interest? Given previous Olyroo campaign failures, this one is important. Probably also one of the hardest given the age bracket and the type of end tournament involved.
Midfielder
Guest
From 442 our U 23 squad by team, I counted about 18 players as fairly regular first team players. No wonder the clubs were so upset as I said by my count 18 first choice players ... and all five Mariner players almost always are involved in most games we play... BTW congs to WSW 7 players .... MV have always brought talent youth from other sides, and say they are developing a huge youth academy. The Nix are interesting especially given their claim to being a large and contributing member of the A-League …. http://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/gombau-names-australian-u23-squad-448456 WSW ==== 7 Mariners == 5 AU ======= 4 Jets ====== 3 MC ====== 3 PG ======= 2 SFC ====== 1 Roar ===== 1 MV ====== 0 Nix ====== 0 26 players all up
Midfielder
Guest
agree and arguably it will be harder to win in Iran.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Goes without saying that both games are must wins.