Australia vs Oman Preview
Oh man, do we need a win!
The Socceroos resume the Road to Brazil this evening as they take on Oman at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium. After a stuttering start to the campaign Australia are on track to qualify for their third consecutive world cup finals appearance, a win here will go a long way to guaranteeing their seat on the plane to Rio next year. Australia is second in their group behind runaway leaders Japan. The rest of the group is a tight battle with Australia second only on points with Oman and Iraq, while Jordan is only one point behind. With four nations chasing one qualifying position the math doesn’t add up. This match is vital for both nations in pursuit of last qualifying position in the group.
The last time the Socceroos faced Oman Australia battled to cope in the sweltering heat with the match ending 0-0. Australia couldn’t break down Oman in the Muscat heat and were somewhat lucky to leave the game with a point. This match however will be a different story in Sydney as the Socceroos will relish the chance for a rematch played in our conditions. Socceroos coach Holger Osieck is enjoying a rare treat on the selection table with the majority of our most talented players available for selection, a luxury the German manager has not previously had. Apart from skipper Lucas Neill and midfielder Carl Valeri, Australia has its full complement to choose from. The big question mark hanging over the squad is who will replace Neill in the centre of defense. Five players are up for the chance to replace the skipper tonight, including three A-League starts in Mark Milligan, Jade North and Michael Thwaite. Oman themselves are in a transitional stage with manager Paul Le Guen choosing a side heavily backed with players from the nations winning U23 Gold Cup squad of 2011. Oman Manager Le Guen has a further headache with the influential former captain Fawzi Bashir walking out of the squad after a dust up with the French manager. Oman will again call upon the experience and quality of the highest profiled player, goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi
On paper Australia have a far superior squad than Oman and should have the goods to claim the win. But as we all know far too well, a win is never guaranteed in Asian World Cup Qualifiers. The one advantage Oman has over Australia is having more time on the park. The Socceroos have only kitted up once in 2013 in a disappointing 3-2 defeat by Romania. Oman on the other hand have played together five times already since the turn of the New Year, winning four of those games.
This is well and truly the business end of the World Cup Qualifiers, with the goal almost in arms reach. Australia are in prime position to claim the second automatic qualifying spot with a game in hand and three of the final four games to be played in Australia. The Socceroos have not played a fixture of any kind in front of their adoring home fans since the 1-1draw against Japan in a World Cup Qualifier way back in June 2012. With so much to play for Australia will be in mood to disappoint the Green and Gold faithful and will be eager to put in a performance worthy of a place at Brazil 2014.
Australia 3-0
Danger Men.
Australia – Tim Cahill
The New York Red Bulls Striker has been an important cog for the Socceroos for many years and will have a big say in this game. Oman will have difficulty dealing with the aerial threat Cahill possesses as their defense is light on big men.
Oman – Abdullaziz Al Miqbali
The Omani striker is fresh off an international hat-trick, all be it against Haiti. Al Miqbali will be out to continue his goal scoring touch and cause some concern in the Socceroos defense.
TONIGHTS TEAMS
