By TAS MAVRIDIS
After an underwhelming 2014 football World Cup campaign, the Socceroos are preparing hard to ensure they once against reach football’s biggest event.
In the lead up to the 2018 World Cup, Australia will play two qualifying games in the next week, which will shape the overall standings of the group.
After two wins in their previous two games against Iraq and United Arab Emirates, a further two victories against Saudi Arabia and Japan this week would put the Socceroos in a strong position to qualify for their fourth successive World Cup.
Several changes to the squad have been made since the games against Iraq and the UAE, with uncapped James Jeggo, Craig Goodwin and Bailey Wright returning to the team.
Defender Milos Degenek suffered a late injury and has been replaced in the squad by Apostolos Giannou, while Josh Ridon and Nathan Burns were omitted.
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The Socceroos were Asian Cup winners last year.
THE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Adam FEDERICI, Mitchell LANGERAK, Mathew RYAN
Defenders: Alex GERSBACH, Ryan McGOWAN, Trent SAINSBURY, Brad SMITH, Matthew SPIRANOVIC, Bailey WRIGHT
Midfielders: Craig GOODWIN, Chris IKONOMIDIS, Jackson IRVINE, Mile JEDINAK, James JEGGO, Robbie KRUSE, Mathew LECKIE, Aaron MOOY, Tommy ROGIC, Massimo LUONGO, Mark MILLIGAN
Forwards: Tomi JURIC, Tim CAHILL, Apostolos GIANNOU
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tom Rogic and Aaron Mooy are two players to watch for Australia. The pair have impressed for Celtic and Huddersfield respectively over the past month. If Australia can gain the ascendency in the midfield through these two players, they will go a long way to adding another six points.
Defender Alex Gersbach is fresh off winning the Tippealiaen title (Norwegian top division) with Rosenborg BK and will come into the games high on confiendce.
Australia will be hoping that forwards Tomi Juric and Apostolos Giannou can find the net, as the Socceroos start moving the grunt of the goal scoring away from the evergreen Tim Cahill.
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Aaron Mooy will be a key player to watch.
AUSTRALIA v SAUDI ARABIA
To be played on Friday, October 7, 4.45am AEDST, at King Abdullah Sport City, Jeddah
History between the two sides
In the previous six meetings against Saudi Arabia dating back to 1988, Australia has won four times, drawn once and lost once. In previous qualifying for the 2014 World Cup they played twice, with Australia winning both games.
Keys to the match
Penalties: All three of Saudi Arabia’s goals have come from penalties so far. As a result, Australia will have to be cautious to ensure that they don’t give the officials any chance to call a penalty, especially in front of the boisterous Saudi Arabian home crowd.
Mohammad Al-Sahlawi: Well known to Australian fans due to his antics at the end of the 2014 AFC champions league final. However, with a record of 24 goals in 24 games, he will be Australia’s main attacking threat.
Conditions: Australia have a mixed record in the Middle East, with potentially very hot conditions having the potential to cause a slip up. With their most recent victory against the UAE in searing conditions, Australia will believe that they can go into this game and come out with a win.
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Shine Okazaki in action for Leicester.
AUSTRALIA v JAPAN
To be played on Tuesday October 11 at 8pm, at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
History between the two sides
Since the 2006 World Cup, Australia and Japan have met nine times in various competitions, including a World Cup group game and an Asian Cup final. Australia came out winners in the World Cup group game, while Japan prevailed in the 2011 Asian Cup final.
In World Cup qualifying, Australia has faced Japan in both the campaign for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, winning their previous meeting in Melbourne back in 2010 and drawing the other three matches.
Because of this and the overall strength of both sides, a tight and fierce contest will be expected in front of a large home crowd.
Keys to the match
Late goals: In the previous qualifying games, four out of the seven goals have been scored in the last 20 minutes, with three of those goals scored by Australia. This highlights how this match-up is sure to go down to the last minutes of the game, with fitness critical in determining which team can run out the match.
Shinji Kagawa, Keisuke Honda, Shinji Okazaki: They are three of the biggest names in Japanese football and the trio have scored the vast majority of goals for Japan. Okazaki in particular is coming off a remarkable year, winning the English Premier League with Leicester City. If Australia can shut down these three, which will be no easy task, it will go a long way to helping Australia grind out a result.
Home-ground advantage: Since joining the AFC, Australia has won all four games in Melbourne including a win against Japan. With these games being played at different venues in Melbourne, it may be down to the condition of the pitch as well as the impact of playing under the roof of Etihad Stadium. With Ange Postecoglou wanting to play a game centred on passing along the ground, the overall condition of the field may be important in helping Australia play the desired brand.
If Australia can collect six points over this week, qualification for the 2018 World Cup held in Russia will be closer to reality. With both opponents predicted to rival Australia for the final spots, wins in these matches will be critical on the road for Russia 2018.
@tasmavridis97