Socceroos well placed for Sydney after failing to land knockout blow in Honduras, writes David Davutovic

THERE is still a big job ahead, but it’s halftime of this all-or-nothing World Cup playoff and the Soccerooos are in pole position, writes DAVID DAVUTOVIC.

Massimo Luongo was one of Australia’s stand outs in a rough and tumble midfield.

THE Socceroos produced their best away display under Ange Postecoglou on the biggest occasion, but the lack of cutting edge leaves them with a job to do on Wednesday night.

All roads now lead to Russia 2018, but the Socceroos must remain focused to kill off Honduras who appeared starstruck in front of their parochial 40,000 San Pedro Sula crowd.

MATCH REPORT: Australia boss game to earn hard fought draw

AS IT HAPPENED: Re-live the match on our rolling blog

Postecoglou will now unleash his batch of fresh-legged stars for the second leg, headlined by substitute Tom Rogic, Mathew Leckie, Mark Milligan and Robbie Kruse if he proves his fitness.

In scenes reminiscent of the first away leg against Syria, the Socceroos failed to land the killer blow.

Swiss-based striker Tomi Juric epitomises the current-day Socceroos — his impressive all-round display underlines his improvement — but still lacking that cutting edge that may have secured qualification in the group phase.

Massimo Luongo was one of Australia’s stand outs in a rough and tumble midfield.

That paves the way for the inclusion of talisman Tim Cahill, who warmed up in San Pedro Sula and “could have played” according to Postecoglou.

Cahill’s two-goal heroics against Syria were a timely reminder that, on the eve of his 38th birthday, he is as deadly, dangerous and confident as ever.

Postecoglou told Fox Sports that he would make changes for the ANZ Stadium second leg.

“Yeah (we will make changes), we’ll go hard. We’ll put the pedal down and go as hard as we can for 90, 120 minutes. They’re gonna have to keep up with us,” Postecoglou said.

“They were spent at the end as well, we’ve got some fresh legs coming in, we’ve got some boys back in Australia who’ll be ready to go, some boys we didn’t use tonight who’ll be ready to go.

Mile Jedinak shrugged off fitness concerns to marshall the middle of the park.

“We’re just not getting our rewards, it’s probably still the part that’s missing from our game. Our general plays great, we works hard, we’re just missing that clinical edge.

“That’s the hardest part of our game, it’s not from a want of trying or getting into good areas. Sometimes our composure lets us down a little bit.

“Having said that it takes an awful amount of courage to come here and actually outplay the opposition and create chances on a pitch like that away from home, so full credit to the boys.”

The Socceroos successfully drowned out the noise to the extent that Postecoglou could communicate with the players on the pitch.

They adopted a more direct style to adapt to the spongy surface that began chopping up immediately.

Aside from a nervy opening few minutes, the youthful Socceroos showed great composure.

China-based Trent Sainsbury marshaled the defence expertly, while captain Mile Jedinak patrolled with assurance and Massimo Luongo and Aaron Mooy directed traffic further afield.

The equation is simple for the Socceroos, they must win in Wednesday’s return leg at ANZ Stadium to advance to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The contrasting body language at the final whistle was telling, with the frustrated Hondurans demonstrative. Landing in Sydney almost 24 hours later than the Socceroos won’t improve their mood.

The Australian players were relaxed, but far from jubilant, knowing there is still a big job ahead.

It’s halftime of this all-or-nothing World Cup playoff and the Soccerooos are in pole position.