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Dates and venues confirmed for Socceroos' World Cup qualifiers vs Syria

Football's place in Australian society is no less significant than any other sport. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Roar Guru
6th September, 2017
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Sydney’s ANZ Stadium may be the venue of another World Cup qualification triumph after it was named to host matches set to determine Australia’s participation at Russia 2018.

The Socceroos will face Syria at the 83,000-seat stadium in the second leg of their Asian playoff on October 10, five days after the first game likely to be in Malaysia.

Should Australia progress from the two-match tie, they will play their final qualification match – also the second of two legs – at the Olympic stadium against the fourth-placed CONCACAF team on November 14.

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ANZ Stadium was the scene of jubilation for Australian soccer in November 2005 when John Aloisi slotted the decisive penalty to give the Socceroos a shootout victory over Uruguay for a place at the 2006 World Cup.

“It goes without saying that this is a big occasion,” Football Federation Australia boss David Gallop told reporters on Thursday.

“I was here in 2005 for that game against Uruguay. I was out of my seat when John Aloisi scored.

“It really set Australian football on the path.”

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The Socceroos have strong recent form at ANZ Stadium, beating Greece 1-0 in June last year.

They also defeated South Korea there to win the Asian Cup final in 2015.

“It’s obviously a happy hunting ground,” Gallop said.

Australia were forced into the Syria playoff after finishing third behind Japan and Saudi Arabia in their Asian qualification group.

The Ange Postecoglou-coach Socceroos are vying to reach their fourth consecutive World Cup.

2018 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers – Round 4 – Asian Playoff

Match Day Date Fixture Venue
Match Day 1 (First Leg) Thursday 5 October 2017 Syria v Australia TBC – in Malaysia
Match Day 2 (Second Leg) Tuesday 10 October 2017 Australia v Syria Stadium Australia, Sydney
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2018 FIFA World Cup – Intercontinental Playoff Round

Match Day Date Fixture Venue
Match Day 1 (First Leg) Monday 6 November 2017 CONCACAF v AFC TBC
Match Day 2 (Second Leg) Tuesday 14 November 2017 AFC v CONCACAF TBC
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