The Socceroos’ margin for error eroding as Asian football hits its stride

AUSTRALIA’S entry into Asia was meant to secure a smoother World Cup qualification, but DAVID DAVUTOVIC writes Australian soccer should heed this “wake-up call”.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — SEPTEMBER 05: Aaron Mooy of the Socceroos and his teammates react as they leave the field at full time after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between the Australian Socceroos and Thailand at AAMI Park on September 5, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

AUSTRALIA’S entry into Asia was meant to secure a smoother World Cup qualification path, but 11 years and three campaigns later the Socceroos return to the dreaded playoffs.

Ange Postecoglou’s side will next month face an unpredictable and highly motivated bunch of players from war-torn Syria, which has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup.

The winner faces another two legs against the fourth-place CONCACAF nation, which will be USA, Honduras or Panama.

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An hour into the Saudi Arabia-Japan game this morning, Socceroos officials and fans alike were still hopeful of direct qualification but at 4.52am Melbourne time, the Saudis predictably netted a winner via substitute Fahad Al-Muwallad to secure second spot.

Australia must negotiate the playoff route for the first time since joining Asia and while luck neglected the Socceroos in the 2-1 win at home to Thailand last night, this is the stark reality in 2017.

Aaron Mooy of the Socceroos and his teammates react as they leave the field at full time after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between the Australian Socceroos and Thailand.

Asian nations are improving rapidly and anyone who thinks the Socceroos are a shoo-in against Syria is kidding themselves.

CONCACAF is just as unpredictable and while USA would be viewed as a tougher opponent, Panama or Honduras are strong.

Syria has played home games at Malaysia’s Hang Jebat Stadium but neutral territory is by no means the advantage Socceroos fans may expect, underlined by Australia’s 1-1 draw against Iraq last March — played in Tehran.

Like Iraq, this is offset by Syria’s war-torn status. The civil war has lasted more than six years and their team spirit is reflected in scoring an extraordinary four stoppage time goals in four of their last five games, including Omar Al Somah’s 93rd minute goal this morning that pinched a playoff berth. Without it Uzbekistan would’ve finished third.

Most Socceroos are on their way back to their clubs — some perhaps not even aware of their fate yet.

Socceroos players will be aiming to sharpen up with their clubs over the next month, while the meticulous coaching staff will now prepare for two games and an opponent they would not have — understandably so — yet put much thought into.

Coach Ange Postecoglou has remained staunch on his possession-based principles and 3-2-4-1 formation he introduced last March and it will be an intriguing test for him and the players in the two, possibly four pressure-cooker games where there is no margin for error.

Captain Mile Jedinak is set to be the only notable inclusion at this stage as he nears a return from a groin injury, thereafter the core of the squad will remain largely similar.

Regardless of what happens, Football Federation Australia and Australian soccer in general should use this as a wake up call, because in four years’ time even the playoffs could be a pipe dream.

In the meantime, the drama lacking with last night’s final group games kicking off at different times will be compensated for next month.

Originally published as The Socceroos’ margin for error eroding as Asian football hits its stride