The Socceroos’ path to the World Cup is about to get even tougher with next month’s qualifying play-off against Syria likely to be played in the Middle East – not in Malaysia.
War-torn Syria has not played on home soil since 2010 and staged all of their third-round Asian qualifiers in Malaysia, where it was anticipated they would play host to Australia on October 5.
But it’s understood there are moves being made by Syria’s football association to ensure the clash will be held in either Jordan, Qatar or the United Arab Emirates – instead of on Australia’s doorstep in south-east Asia.
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Reports from overseas suggest Abu Dhabi is the frontrunner.
Football Federation Australia is eagerly awaiting the venue announcement from the Asian Football Confederation, with official word expected in the next 24 hours.
“We haven’t heard anything officially but we’re also watching to see when the venue will be confirmed,” FFA chief executive David Gallop told AAP.
The return leg, on October 10, is locked in for ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
The Socceroos have traditionally struggled in the Middle East and have won just two of their last five qualifiers in the region.
However, the most recent win was one of Australia’s best performances in recent memory, beating the UAE 1-0 in steaming conditions in Abu Dhabi last November.
The winner of the two-legged clash between Australia and Syria will take on North and Central America’s fourth-best team in another play-off for a spot at Russia 2018.
chris
Guest
Geez they are really interesting numbers. Quite surprising as well! Thanks for posting
Midfielder
Guest
Nem Lets hope so re where the match will be played.
Midfielder
Guest
Nem Double post guys but all my posts are being modified if they are more than a word or so long. Mods whats going on.. Off topic guys sorry. Nem, this is a really interesting article and IM\O has may parallel’s in Australia. Very very interesting. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-sports-with-the-oldest-and-youngest-tv-audiences-2017-06-30
Midfielder
Guest
Nem Off topic guys sorry. Nem, this is a really interesting article and IM\O has may parallel's in Australia. Very very interesting. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-sports-with-the-oldest-and-youngest-tv-audiences-2017-06-30
Sydneysider
Guest
it's great news isn't it Clipper. Looking forward to receiving my South West Riverina/Penrith/Richmond/Campbelltown Nomads membership soon.
clipper
Guest
It's interesting times indeed in Sydney - who could have foreseen league losing it's dominant status 30 years ago? Pity about Rugby, but the constant tinkering with the Super Rugby format certainly hasn't helped, low crowd and TV figures for Perth - hardly surprising after the Force fiasco.
Sydneysider
Guest
Gavin, the NRL is also dying in Sydney, Super Rugby will be dead and buried in 2020, so we will all have to pick an AFL team to support come 2022. Expect record low crowds in the A-League this season, and a crowd of 5,000 for the Socceroos home fixture against Syria at Homebush.
Nemesis
Guest
Official confirmation from FIFA is pending, but the unofficial reports are the match will definitely be played in Malaysia. Looks like I won't have to pick an NRL team to follow. Football might survive another 12 months.
Gavin R
Guest
Football died when we didn't put 4 past Thailand. Expect record low crowds this season for the A League and pick up an NRL team to follow for when the A League goes belly up
chris
Guest
It'll be hot but it will be a dry heat lol
anon
Roar Pro
Doesn't this make it easier since most Socceroos are based in Europe?
Lionheart
Guest
There's nothing new in this. Syria said from the get-go that they'd like to play closer to home, after playing to empty stadiums in Malacca, Malaysia. That's how the AFC website has had it all along.
Midfielder
Guest
A little harder again
Realfootball
Guest
Makes for a much less user friendly viewing time. Less flying time for the Roos.
Craig
Guest
If we cant beat Syria we don't deserve to be in the world cup (and even if we do, we probably still don't deserve to be there).
bobbym
Guest
Better for us less flying time out of Europe and Syria will have longer to fly to AUS - we are used to it they are not.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Honestly, if we're as good as we think we are then this poses no problem whatsoever. Over to the peanut gallery :)
Nemesis
Guest
Massive surprise to think we'd have to play the away match against a Middle Eastern nation in the Middle East. Simply outrageous. This could kill football in Australia... presuming it's not yet dead.
Newie
Guest
I love the national team, but if we can't get past Syria in a home and away tie, then we really don't deserve to be going to the World Cup. No matter where the away leg is held. I think we'll win both games. I'm not so confident about our CONCACAF opponents.
Waz
Guest
Well, we've been in trouble ever since our primary consideration was the quality of the pitch, the temperature, whether it would put the opposition off or not ... how about we just breed footballers that can win on a bowling green or a cow paddock or heaven forbid, a desert pitch??