Socceroos in dark over possible World Cup playoff rivals

THE other Asian World Cup qualifying group is a mess, meaning the Socceroos are none the wiser as to who they might face in the playoffs - if it comes to that.

Jackson Irvine in action against Japan.

DID you think the Socceroos’ World Cup permutations were head-spinning?

The other Asian qualifying group is next level and could throw up some huge shocks.

That means the Socceroos are none the wiser as to who they might face in the playoffs — if it comes to that.

If Australia has to endure the playoffs for the first time since beating Uruguay in 2005 it would first play Group A’s third-placed team on October 5 and October 10.

Jackson Irvine in action against Japan.

If successful, the Socceroos would then meet the fourth-placed North American nation away on November 6 and at home on November 14.

Syria is shaping as Group B’s fairytale story.

Given the travails the war-torn country is experiencing, it would be truly remarkable if it made its first World Cup.

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Also given it plays its home games at neutral venues — Thursday’s was in Malaysia — Australians would view it potentially the weakest of four possible opponents.

A South Korean match-up, though — a rematch of the 2015 Asian Cup final — would be a disastrous result.

The South Koreans have not missed a World Cup since 1982.

All options remain on the table for them, Syria and Uzbekistan, each of which can qualify automatically, make the playoffs and miss out all ­together.

China can also feature in the playoffs.

Undefeated Iran (21 points) has already qualified for the World Cup.

South Korea is second on 14 points with a +1 goal difference, but Syria (12, +1) and Uzbekistan (12, -1) are within striking distance.

China (9, -3) needs some luck.

James Trois gets some airtime after being tackled.

In a thrilling finale at 1am on Wednesday, Uzbekistan and South Korea meet in Tashkent, Syria travels to Iran, while China plays in already eliminated Qatar.

Who makes it straight to Russia and who meets Saudi Arabia or Australia in the playoffs is anyone’s guess.

And then there’s a whole other set of equations to figure out the North American opp­onent if that comes into play.

Hint: It could be the US, but is more likely to be Panama or Honduras.

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Originally published as Socceroos in dark over possible World Cup playoff rivals