The Socceroos will be desperate for a win on Tuesday night to keep their 2018 World Cup qualification hopes alive as they take on the United Arab Emirates at Sydney Football Stadium.
A 1-1 draw with Iraq on Thursday night and wins to both Saudi Arabia and Japan means that the Socceroos now sit a full 3 points behind the two automatic qualification places with just 4 games to play.
The good thing for Australia is that 3 of their 4 remaining games will be at home, where they have a ridiculous record in qualifying matches. Over their last 56 home qualifying matches dating all the way back to 1981, the Socceroos have lost just one match, and they remain the only undefeated team in Group B of Round 3 of the qualifiers.
After winning their first two games, Australia have drawn their last 4 and while they’ll get to play both table leaders in Saudi Arabia and Japan in the upcoming games to pull some points back, the Socceroos will be hoping they can get a win against U.A.E on Tuesday night to stay within striking distance.
The Aussies dominated possession against Iraq but couldn’t translate it into goals in the 1-1 draw. Their defence remains an issue as Iraq looked very dangerous numerous times on the counter attack. Coach Ange Postecoglou will be hoping the likes of makeshift centre-back Mark Milligan can step up in the absence of regular backs.
Postecoglou changed the system for the Iraq game, opting for 3 backs and a strong holding midfielder in Mile Jedinak to assist, whether or not he will stick with the system is unknown, but with regular backs Matthew Spiranovic out with injury and Trent Sainsbury struggling for form, the Socceroos could line up in the same formation.
They’ll be without star midfielder Aaron Mooy, whose booking in the Iraq game meant he will be suspended for the upcoming game.
It’ll help the Socceroos that U.A.E have struggled to find any attacking prowess throughout the 3rd round so far, with just 7 goals through their 6 games. They’ll also be massively buoyed by the fact they are playing at home on what will be a world class pitch compared to the ones they’ve played on in their previous two matches.
The conditions would have played a massive part in the 2-2 draw with Thailand back in November. Even a non-soccer fan could tell instantly that the ground wasn’t watered properly and was playing very sticky. Similar conditions in Tehran for the Iraq game would have hindered the Aussies attack.
No excuses for the Socceroos here, however, and with 3 of their last 4 games coming at home, star forward Tim Cahill has reminded fans they the team has been in much worse positions than this and still qualified.
Regardless, it’s a must win for the Socceroos. We’ve made a habit out of creating exciting qualifying races in the past and just getting over the line, so I expect the Socceroos to win this one with the home crowd behind them.
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