Australia have officially secured qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia with a 3-0 win over Honduras on Wednesday night.
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Final score
Socceroos 3
Honduras 0
It’s do or die for the Socceroos and Honduras, with a FIFA World Cup place on the line at Homebush. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8pm (AEDT).
Australia dominated the first leg of this tie in San Pedro Sula but would have left Honduras feeling frustrated.
A 0-0 draw was the end result, and while it’s not the worst case scenario, it puts plenty of pressure on the Socceroos’ defence heading into the second leg.
Conceding a goal is not an option for Australia tonight, as while a scoreless draw will send the match to extra-time, a scored draw or loss will end Australia’s World Cup campaign.
Still, the Socceroos will be confident of their chances. On home turf, with a huge travel advantage – flying halfway back across the world on a charter flight – they should have the legs to go the distance.
The first leg saw Australia dominate for the majority of the match, and should have opened the scoring on a couple of occasions through Tomi Juric.
However, Honduras still looked dangerous at different points on an absolute cow paddock. The home side’s long balls were often dangerous, getting behind Australia’s back three, who were left to scramble to shut down raids.
Add that to the fact veteran Carlo Costly only came off the bench with 15 minutes to go and created their best opportunity of the match, and there is cause for concern. Costly is likely to start the second leg.
The Socceroos will have a huge home crowd behind them and have only lost one of their last 59 World Cup Qualifiers played at home. That doesn’t account for draws, but it’s still comforting to know how well the Socceroos perform in Australia.
ANZ Stadium has been the site of many happy memories for the Socceroos. Qualification for two of the last three World Cups has been sealed on the ground, with John Aloisi’s famous penalty against Uruguay in 2005 and Josh Kennedy’s winner in 2013.
Tim Cahill is expected to be back after sitting on the bench for the entire first leg, while Matt Leckie and Mark Milligan are likely to come into the starting side after missing the first leg through suspension. Tom Rogic is also expected to start after his substitute appearance in San Pedro Sula, and Robbie Kruse is a chance to return after recovering from a knee injury.
Aaron Mooy will again be one of the keys in the midfield if Australia are to control the game through their passing game, which they did effectively against Syria in their previous play-off. The biggest problem for the Socceroos, though, has been converting opportunities, which has plagued Australia right throughout their qualification campaign.
Prediction
A Honduran goal is going to make things significantly harder, which means this will be a nerve-racking evening for Socceroos fans, but Australia should move through to the Cup.
Socceroos 2 – Honduras 0.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the match from 8pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
JR Salazar
Guest
In the end, you got the two-goal margin right OP, just not the scoreline.
R.Henzell
Guest
Well now Australia is out of the Oceania group it does not have to play a South American team. Smart move Australian Football Association.
Breathe Easy
Guest
Im sure he is relieved that you Fadida are giving him a leave pass for the night...i mean, your so important and all!
Breathe Easy
Guest
Im going to Russia...where my beautiful wife is waiting!
anon
Roar Pro
Of course they will. Ange has been alluding to it for the last month by deliberately dodging the question about his future. A simple yes or no answer would have sufficed, which makes me believe he's gone (which is weak).
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Wow, we are going to Russia, just got home, beautiful wife waiting, two excited kids, football is wonderful.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Only because Simon Hill was winding up about it ?
Griffo
Roar Guru
On the Bakries there was an interview where Ange indicated early on that he hoped they would invest (in infrastructure) - when that didn't happen, I think that helped him move on to Victory, with better resourcing. We might be a nervous wreck from the quaifiers, and perhaps a little to much to think we should have qualified outright (that draw in Thailand didn't help), but he should stick around and take this team through the World Cup. Just waiting for the articles tomorrow that speculate Ange is already left...and the interviews and questions to follow him over the next week.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers James - yeah mate!
Griffo
Roar Guru
Well Channel 9 are talking about it...you know the MSM are going to ask it as soon as they get a mic in his face...
Scott Pryde
Expert
That Cahill header was amazing. Guy is a freak.
Fadida
Guest
Too late, it's been asked and I reckon Ange is gone
jamesb
Guest
Well done Scottie on the blog. You are becoming very versatile with the sports you are covering. #gosocceroos
Griffo
Roar Guru
Good luck to the Kiwi's later on. Hopefully a second team from the Tasman to make the World Cup next year 8-)
Griffo
Roar Guru
Just watching the highlights...a good run by Rogic to earn the free kick for the first goal. And Cahill with that header off the bar - no one should get that on target. Good call by the Ref for the first penalty - perfectly positioned. Clear second penalty. Juric should have done better with the time and space with that volley attempt at the end.
Fadida
Guest
I agree, let him celebrate tonight
Griffo
Roar Guru
Hard to know but in hindsight it was ours to lose. I would say the Middle East teams have more skill, and play better overall as a team. Now for the five AFC sides to go deep in the tournament next year and get that FIFA ranking coefficient up :-P
Griffo
Roar Guru
Scrappy, but we created more chances and dominated midfield for large stretches. Still you have to score to win, and we used those chances to put on the pressure for two penalties, and a deflected free kick in a very dangerous position. Lets not ask Ange tonight, out of respect, if he is/is not going to be coaching the team next year. Lets just enjoy qualifying, because right now my Italian friends are a very unhappy bunch at not being there.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Pub night. What an occasion!
Scott Pryde
Expert
No dramas. First half just about put me to sleep. The second was good though.