World Cup play-offs: Panama vs. Costa Rica, Honduras vs. Mexico, USA vs. Trinidad Tobago

SOCCEROOS will face Honduras in the next stage of World Cup qualifying after a dramatic CONCACAF round saw the USA eliminated altogether.

SOCCEROOS will face Honduras in the next stage of World Cup qualifying after a dramatic CONCACAF round saw the USA eliminated altogether.

The United States were sensationally eliminated after crashing to a shock 2-1 defeat to Trinidad and Tobago. The US upset combined with Panama’s 2-1 win over Costa Rica and Honduras’s 3-2 victory over Mexico means the Americans have failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986. Ange’s early call a matter of timing Angry Ange can’t have it both ways Ange bombshell: I’m quitting Socceroos Panama qualify for the first time while Honduras finish fourth in the standings and advance to a playoff against Australia The Socceroos beat Syria 2-1 in the second leg of their playoff on Tuesday night which sealed their spot in an intercontinental playoff. Australia will travel to the Central American republic for the first leg on November 9, before returning to Sydney for the second leg on November 14, the winner progressing directly to the World Cup. The clashes stand to be Ange Postecoglou’s last matches in charge of the Australian national team after he confirmed to the Herald Sun he will quit in November even if the team qualify for next year’s World Cup. Postecoglou, who replaced Holger Osieck in 2013, will reportedly quit after next month’s intercontinental playoff and would have even if they qualified directly for Russia 2018. 'Cahill is our greatest ever' THINKING OF TRAVELLING TO HONDURAS? The central American nation has been labelled the most dangerous country on Earth outside of a war zone. Before booking tickets, here are some fast facts: - The capital is Tegucigalpa, the population is 9.1 million and the most commonly spoken language is Castilian, a local version of Spanish - More than half the country lives below the poverty line - The murder rate is the highest in the world at 90 per 100,000 people - almost double second-ranked Venezuela. Australia records one murder per 100,000 people. - The US Government restricts staff from visiting some parts of the country and advises that Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula are two of the most violent cities in the world - ‘Armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels’ are listed as specific threats in large areas controlled by crime gangs - The US travel warning also warns of extortion attempts, carjacking, credit card skimming, home invasions and kidnappings - While driving in Honduras watch for cars driving at night without headlights and routinely ignoring traffic signals on crumbling roads in vehicles that don’t meet international safety standards. According to the State Department, “animals/people wander on to the roads at all hours” and “motorists should avoid traveling at night and always drive with their doors locked and windows rolled up to deter potential robberies at traffic lights and on congested downtown streets.” - Public transport is not a safe alternative. Buses are routinely targeted by gangs and passengers are attacked by muggers who ride on a daily schedule, committing crimes with impunity - Public demonstrations, protests and strikes are common - Honduras is subject to tropical storms and hurricanes, which cause flooding and mudslides. The rainy season runs from May-November. - If you venture into the jungle, keep an eye out for crocodiles, piranhas and several deadly snakes including the green palm pit viper, coral snake and middle American rattlesnake - On the positive side, Lonely Planet says Honduras is great value for money. Attractions include Maya ruins, pristine coral beaches, diving on coral reefs and the best white-water rafting in South America.

Originally published as World Cup play-offs: Panama vs. Costa Rica, Honduras vs. Mexico, USA vs. Trinidad Tobago