Aus v Japan - must win

[bpowell454]

We didn't look likely at all. We didn't contest for the ball in their box at all, long ball comes in and it was always a free header or routine save for Japan.

I dont know the qualification route at all, what needs to happen now for us to make it to the WC?

GA ain't it.

[otto62]

We’re guaranteed 3rd in the group.

One off playoff against 3rd placed team in the other group on a neutral ground.
(Currently UAE.)

If we win, one off play off against 5th placed South American team.
(Currently Peru, with Chile 2 points behind.)

[EdDog]

We play 3rd place from the other Asian group (likely UAE).

If we beat them it's 5th place South American team (currently Peru).

Would be lucky to beat either.

[sevengoals]

Very difficult road ahead.

[EdDog]

Arnold is copping a lot of criticism which is warranted to some extent, however I think a lot of people are forgetting how poor our squad is.

Japan are a near world class side littered with talent from the top leagues around the world.

We unfortunately are just nowhere near their level.

I struggle to see how any coach would get a result with our squad v theirs.

[blahblah]

Arnold is copping a lot of criticism which is warranted to some extent, however I think a lot of people are forgetting how poor our squad is.

Japan are a near world class side littered with talent from the top leagues around the world.

We unfortunately are just nowhere near their level.

I struggle to see how any coach would get a result with our squad v theirs.

Japan, yes. Oman and China however........

[bpowell454]

Arnold is copping a lot of criticism which is warranted to some extent, however I think a lot of people are forgetting how poor our squad is.

Japan are a near world class side littered with talent from the top leagues around the world.

We unfortunately are just nowhere near their level.

I struggle to see how any coach would get a result with our squad v theirs.

Japan, yes. Oman and China however........

Exactly. Last night went as expected. It's the poor showings against the weaker teams that cost us this qualifying and the last WC qualifying.

Our players/coach were not desperate enough for me last night. I would rather see us give everything and lose 5-0 rather than that performance.

[EdDog]

I agree we should have beaten Oman and China and then we would have already been through. BUT you should then say the same about Japan and UAE - they should have also beaten those weaker nations as well. If that were the case we would have had to pick up points against either UAE or Japan to finish above third. So to me, 3rd place is as good as we are.