After getting Australia’s World Cup qualification campaign back on track, coach Tony Popovic has urged the Socceroos to embrace the challenge of beating Saudi Arabia and wrest their fate firmly into their own hands.
Australia’s hopes of direct qualification were in dire straits after the 1-0 home loss to Bahrain and 0-0 away draw to Indonesia that ultimately resulted in Graham Arnold stepping down as coach.
The Socceroos are battling to take control of second spot in their FIFA World Cup qualifying group.Credit: Getty Images
But the Socceroos righted the ship under Popovic, beating China 3-1 in Adelaide, then earning a gutsy 1-1 draw with Japan in Saitama as other results fell in their favour.
In that window, the Saudis drew 0-0 with Bahrain and China beat Indonesia 2-1.
It means Japan (10 points) are outright Group C leaders, with Australia (five points, +1) ahead of Saudi Arabia (five points, -1) and Bahrain (five points, -4) on goal difference.
The top two teams in Group C secure direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, while third and fourth place go into the next round of qualifying.
It only magnifies the importance of Thursday night’s crunch clash with the Saudis at AAMI Park, then the away match against Bahrain four days later in Riffa.
AAP
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