State Government in talks to bring World Cup qualifier against Syria — or CONCACEF nation — to Oval
THE State Government is in talks to bring one of two cutthroat World Cup qualifiers to Adelaide Oval.
Socceroos
Don't miss out on the headlines from Socceroos. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Ange addresses Socceroos World Cup woes
- Saudis break Socceroo hearts
- Nervy Socceroos win but fail to make most of chances
THE State Government wants to bring one of two cutthroat Socceroos FIFA World Cup qualifiers to Adelaide Oval.
Minister for Sport Leon Bignell said the government was already locked in talks with Football Federation Australia with the Socceroos now forced to play Syria — home and away — after Saudi Arabia booked a direct spot in the Russia World Cup next year this morning.
“Talks already under way, “ he said.
“We will have to wait and see what sort of deal we can do and the estimated returns on investment. It will need to stack up economically.”
Saudi Arabia beat Japan 1-0 to topple Australia from second place in Asia’s Group B, clinching a direct berth for next year’s World Cup in Russia. It came after the Socceroos failed to score enough goals to secure the spot in a laborious 2-1 win over Thailand in Melbourne on Tuesday night.
Australia finished third in its group.
Australia will first need to beat Syria over two legs to get another shot for a play-off spot against the fourth-placed nation from the CONCACEF division of nations.
Australia will need to beat that nation over two legs to qualify for Russia.
Honduras is currently in fourth spot after drawing 1-1 with the United States on Wednesday morning.
Australia’s World Cup dates for the clashes against Syria have been set down for October 5 and 10.
Adelaide Oval has no other major events clashing at that time.
The Asian Football Confederation will decide which nation hosts which match.
Syria has been playing its home games in Malaysia due to the ongoing civil war in its homeland.
The clash against a CONCACEF nation — if Australia beats Syria — has been set for a first leg at home on November 6 two days before a Cricket Australia XI faces England in a tour match at Adelaide Oval.
Originally published as State Government in talks to bring World Cup qualifier against Syria — or CONCACEF nation — to Oval
Irankunda injured in blow to ‘Roos
It wasn’t a good weekend on the injury front for a couple of Australia’s top young players in Europe.
Major turnaround in Socceroos’ fortunes
In a good sign for the Socceroos ahead of March’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Mat Ryan and Joe Gauci are both now getting match minutes since moving to new clubs.