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.”
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 |
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 |
Cool N Cold
Guest
Socceroos did not pass Japan and Saudi. Is that right? Japan is first and Saudi is 2nd. Is that right? USA ranks 26, higher than Japan and Australia. Is that right?
Nemesis
Guest
We got 4 points from possible 6 from Saudi Arabia; so that comment is misleading. I would consider Syria to not be as strong as Saudi Arabia. Don't know enough about the current form of Panama, Honduras, or USA.
Cool N Cold
Guest
Difficult to pass Syria and it is more difficult to pass USA. This is a more difficult path than passing Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
And so will I. Their people need it more than us.
anon
Roar Pro
I think it's great. Helps with the diversity and vibrancy of the place.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
The country is certainly one hell of a mess and regimes under stress will use whatever PR mechanisms they can to legitimise their rule; sport is no exception. That doesn't affect the principle.
AVictory
Guest
Brutal regime? You mean a stable and secular government. The alternative is the CIA backed Al-Qaeda. If we end up losing this tie, at least the people of Syria will be happy!
Lionheart
Guest
I think you've said that already.
nachos supreme
Guest
http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/19343630/how-syrian-government-brought-soccer-campaign-oppression
Pauly
Guest
So what?
SAA Yaskari
Guest
Syria will win
SAA Yaskari
Guest
The Syrian Team will win
Cool N Cold
Guest
But they drew 0-0 with Korea also
Deir-ba-zor
Guest
They also needed a late goal to draw against China.
Josh Barton
Roar Pro
Did we really have to publicly announce the venue for the final qualification? It's almost as if someone at the FFA is actively trying to curse us.
Kurt
Guest
Your right we have to restrict the goals. These games are based around aggregates
anon
Roar Pro
Western Sydney is a great choice of venue. Will get a lot of support out there -- for BOTH teams.
Waz
Guest
Correct. The Americans would never get a game if politics came into it !!
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
The principle pursued is that sport is separate from politics. We are not playing the Syrian regime anymore than the Syrians are playing the Australian Government. Hence political banners of any type are banned from all FIFA events, no matter how noble or ignoble the cause.
Rolly
Guest
Why are we going ahead and playing Syria .do they not have a brutal regime ,why are they FIFA even allowing Syria to compete for a spot at the World Cup in Russia. Playing them only endorses their horrible barbaric regime .