How does Australia qualify for the 2018 World Cup?

AFTER a credible 0-0 in Honduras, what has to happen at the second leg in Sydney next week for Australia to qualify for Russia 2018?

Tom Rogic tries to muscle his way past the Honduras defence.

GOALS, a solid defence and, of course, a win are the three ingredients the Socceroos need in Sydney next week if they are to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Russia.

After a 0-0 draw in Honduras on Saturday morning (EST), the tie is intriguingly placed, with Australia holding a slight advantage as both sides prepare for the long haul trip for Wednesday night’s second leg at ANZ Stadium.

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But history suggests the Socceroos should be wary, especially after Iran prevented them going to France 1998 after a 2-2 draw in Melbourne nullified their impressive 1-1 draw in Tehran one week earlier.

Honduras can still qualify with a score draw or a win.

Then, of course, as Socceroos fans are well aware there is the lottery of a penalty shootout. If the scores are locked at 0-0 after extra time in Sydney, then that’s what’s in front odf us.

HOW THE SOCCEROOS WILL QUALIFY

Australia wins by any margin

HOW HONDURAS WILL QUALIFY

Honduras wins by any margin

Honduras grabs a score draw, which means 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 etc. That would send them to Russia on away goals.

Australia’s Tomi Juric jumps over Honduras’s Henry Figueroa.

2018 FIFA WORLD CUP

Where: Russia

When: June 14-July 15, 2018

AUSTRALIA’S STORY SO FAR

GROUP STAGE

June 17, 2015: Kyrgyzstan 1, Australia 2

September 3, 2015: Australia 5, Bangladesh 0

September 8, 2015: Tajikistan 0, Australia 3

November 12, 2015: Australia 3, Kyrgyzstan 0

November 17, 2015: Bangladesh 0, Australia 4

March 24, 2016: Australia 7, Tajikistan 0

March 29, 2016: Australia 5, Jordan 1

September 1, 2016: Australia 2, Iraq 0

September 7, 2016: UAE 0, Australia 1

October 7, 2016: Saudi Arabia 2, Australia 2

October 11, 2016: Australia 1, Japan 1

November 15, 2016: Thailand 2, Australia 2

March 23, 2017: Iraq 1, Australia 1

March 28, 2017: Australia 2, UAE 0

June 8, 2017: Australia 3, Saudi Arabia 2

August 31, 2017: Japan 2, Australia 0

September 5, 2017: Australia 2, Thailand 1

ASIA PLAYOFF

October 5, 2017: Syria 1, Australia 1

October 10, 2017: Australia 2, Syria 1

INTERCONTINENTAL PLAYOFF

November 11, 2017: Honduras 0, Australia 0

November 15: 2017: Australia v Honduras, Sydney

Originally published as How does Australia qualify for the 2018 World Cup?