World Cup playoffs: History suggests Socceroos in for a tough, nervy ride against Syria

THIS isn’t going to be easy. If the 2010 and 2014 Asian Confederation third-place play offs are anything to go by then the Socceroos are in for a nailbiting ride.

Jordan beat Uzbekistan on penalties in 2013.

THIS isn’t going to be easy.

If the 2006, 2010 and 2014 Asian Confederation third-place play offs are anything to go by then the Socceroos are in for a nailbiting ride.

Just ask Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Uzbekistan!

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While the Socceroos sat back and soaked up qualification as group winners (2010) and runner up (2014) - and weren’t part of the Asian excitement in 2006 - this quartet fought out two drama-charged two-legged playoffs that were not decided until beyond the 180-minute mark.

And the intensity of the games took so much out of them that the winners were ripe for the picking when they had to face their next opponent.

Needless to say, Australia will be hoping for better fortune when they take on Syria and then possibly the CONCACAF fourth-placed team over the next two months.

One thing the Socceroos need to be aware of. Away goals will be key.

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2006 Asian third place playoff (Uzbekistan 1 Bahrain 1 - Bahrain won on away goals)

The final qualifiers before Australia joined Asia, Bahrain - who had finished nine points behind second placed Iran in their group in their previous round - stunned Uzbekistan in Tashkent with an all-important away goal. But there was plenty of controversy as FIFA ordered the initial first leg result invalid and ordered a replay. Bahrain then defended stoutly to pick up a 0-0 draw at home and go through on away goals. Their reward was a clash with Dwight Yorke’s Trinidad and Tobago. Bahrain actually hold sway after the first leg 1-1 draw in Port of Spain. But a goal from Dennis Lawrence ensured the Asian team missed out.

Bahrain left it very late to beat Saudi Arabia in 2009.

2010 Asian third-place playoff (Bahrain 2 Saudi Arabia 2 — Bahrain won on away goals)

After a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Riffa, Saudi Arabia returned home in a confident mood. That was only accentuated when they went up 1-0 early on in a front of a noisy home support of more than 50,000. Bahrain hit back just before halftime but the hosts looked to have won the match when central defender Hamad Al-Montashari scored in the first minute of added time. But Bahrain came roaring back and amid incredible scenes Ismail Abdul-Latif became an instant hero when he guided home a header with the last action of the match. Their reward was a clash with New Zealand, the Oceania champions. Little separated the teams in the first leg in Riffa but the Kiwis prevailed in the second leg 1-0 in Wellington thanks to a goal from Rory Fallon.

Jordan beat Uzbekistan on penalties in 2013.

2014 Asian third-place playoff (Jordan 2 Uzbekistan 2 — Jordan won 9-8 on penalties)

Jordan, who finished third in Australia’s group and famously beat the Socceroos 2-1 in Amman, took the lead through Mossab Al-Laham in the first leg only to be pegged back by Server Djeparov. Uzbekistan continued with that momentum early in the second leg in Tashkent as Anzue Ismailov gave them an early lead. But Jordan equalised before halftime through Saeed Murjan. The tie went to penalties — and there some seriously high-quality spot kicks. Uzbekistan missed with their first but when Ahmad Hayel had the chance to seal the win for Jordan, he fluffed his lines. The next eight shots were all dispatched before the unfortunate Ismailov missed. Mohammad Al-Dmeiri then won the game for Jordan. There was no Oceania winners waiting for Jordan this time. It was the fifth placed South American team — which was Uruguay. A 5-0 defeat in Montevideo effectively ended the tie but at least they improved at home to grab a 0-0- draw.

Originally published as World Cup playoffs: History suggests Socceroos in for a tough, nervy ride against Syria