It is once again as it is always destined to be for the Socceroos, a nail-biting climax to a World Cup qualifying campaign. Australia host Syria in the second leg of the AFC playoff at ANZ Stadium tonight, hoping to secure safe passage to the inter-confederation playoff (most likely against Panama or Honduras) next month.
It’s impossible not to hark back to similar nights in Australian football history, so many laced with tragedy, before the exhilaration of 2005. They just have to do things the hard way, don’t they?
Australia secured a 1-1 draw in Syria last Thursday, meaning they have a crucial away goal in their favour that will come into play if it’s 0-0 after extra time. They also looked a better team than Syria in Malaysia so Socceroos fans should be cautiously optimistic.
All eyes are on Ange Postecoglou in what could prove to be his final match in the Australian dugout. A first eleven has not materialised over the marathon campaign and rumours have swirled all day of Aaron Mooy not making the final cut tonight.
“I’ve been pretty big on preaching to the players to treat every game like it is your last and that way you appreciate every one of them,” Postecoglou said earlier this week. “If Tuesday is it for me then I won’t go into it with any different feeling than I have any other game. [But] I don’t take it for granted that I’m coaching my country ... every time we play it’s a great honour, and when you play at home there’s always a buzz.”
It’s going to be another nerve-shredding experience for fans in green and gold, and we’ll be here to guide you through the highs and lows. As always, feel free to contribute by email or on Twitter, contact details are at the top of the page.
SOURCE : GUARDIAN SPORTS posted by CAMPUS94
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