The Socceroos are effectively just one win away from direct World Cup qualification after a 2-0 win over China on Tuesday night.
First-half goals by Jackson Irvine and Nishan Velupillay set up a deserved lead for Tony Popovic’s side, before the second half passed without much incident.
With just two games left in this stage of qualifying, Australia now sits three points clear of third-placed Saudi Arabia, with the top two teams from their group to advance directly to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
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Saudi Arabia were held to a nil-all draw by group leaders Japan, who have already qualified for the World Cup, in Saitama falling further behind the Socceroos.
Australia hosts Japan in Perth in June, before facing Saudi Arabia away to end this stage of qualifying, and just one more win should be enough to guarantee qualification.
That’s because the Socceroos hold a whopping nine-goal advantage on goal difference over the Saudis. Therefore if Australia beats Japan (who have nothing to play for), Saudi Arabia would first need to win their second-last match to keep in touch, and then beat Australia by something like 5-0 or better to pass them.
Alternatively, and more simply, a Socceroos win or draw against Saudi Arabia would be enough to see them through – the latter providing they aren’t belted by Japan.
At worst the Socceroos have earned a spot in the next round of World Cup qualifying, which involves a three-team group all playing each other once at a single venue. The winner of the group would advance to the World Cup, with the runner-up competing for a spot in the inter-confederation playoffs.
Australia ends the night on 13 points with Saudi Arabia on 10. Indonesia and Bahrain, who are currently on six, play each other overnight and the winner could yet be an unlikely spoiler – though they would need another two wins plus two Socceroos losses.
TEAM NEWS
The Socceroos made three changes from the side that defeated Indonesia last week, with Ryan Teague given his first cap along with the returns of Milos Degenek and Brandon Borrello.
Socceroos XI: Maty Ryan (GK), Lewis Miller, Jason Geria, Milos Degenek, Cameron Burgess, Aziz Behich, Ryan Teague, Jackson Irvine, Martin Boyle, Nishan Velupillay, Brandon Borrello
Bench: Kye Rowles, Anthony Caceres, Kai Trewin, Daniel Arzani, Paul Izzo (GK), Aiden O’Neill, Jason Davidson, Mitch Duke, Tom Glover (GK), Alex Grant, Fran Karacic, Craig Goodwin
AFC WORLD CUP QUALIFYING GROUP C STANDINGS (As of midnight AEDT)
1. Japan [Q] (6 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses), +22 goal difference, 20 pts
2. Australia (3 wins, 4 draws, 1 loss), +7 goal difference, 13 pts
3. Saudi Arabia (2 wins, 4 draws, 2 losses), -2 goal difference, 10 pts
4. Indonesia (1 win, 3 draws, 3 losses), -7 goal difference, 6 pts
5. Bahrain (1 win, 3 draws, 3 losses), -7 goal difference, 6 pts
6. China (2 wins, 0 draws, 6 losses), -13 goal difference, 6 pts
Australia’s remaining games: vs Japan in Perth on June 5, vs Saudi Arabia away on June 10
Also playing tonight: Japan 0-0 Saudi Arabia, Indonesia vs Bahrain in Jakarta (Wednesday 12:45am AEDT)
Top two nations qualify directly for World Cup
Third and fourth enter fourth round of AFC qualifying
Re-live the match below or in our Match Centre!
Socceroos on brink of automatic World Cup spot after classy away win over China – Fox Sports
