Tough Matches Facing Socceroos Before The 2014 World Cup

Timetables has been out and it seems that the Aussie team has some tough matches awaiting them in the final Asian qualifying group for the 2014 World Cup. Other teams include Oman, Japan, Iraq and Jordan.

First match against Oman on 8th June is their chance for revenge since last defeat in the previous qualifying group. After defeating Thailand, the team shows great determination to win in their second time on the qualifying group, not to be contended to just making up the number. Noticeable players to watch out are goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi and attacker Imad Al Hosni. 

Sources: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/asia/teams/team=43831/profile.html

4 days after their first match with Oman is against the Japanese team, which is regarded as the top seed among the qualifiers. Being a long-term enemy, the Japanese used to defeat Socceroos during the final round of AFC Asian Cup last year. However, much earlier, Australia also got two important winnings, one in World Cup 2006 in Germany and the other in the qualifying group for World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The good news is that Socceroos will meet their opponent first at home on 12th June 2012. 

Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/asia/teams/team=43819/profile.html

Little information has been known on the remaining two teams due to lack of recent encounter with Socceroos. However, Iraq, under the leadership of the great Brazilian Zico, could be a potential threat to the Australians. 

Date 08/06/12	Venue TBA		Oman	VS	Australia
12/06/12	TBA		Australia	VS	Japan
11/09/12	TBA		Jordan	VS	Australia
16/10/12	TBA		Iraq	VS	Australia
26/03/13	TBA		Australia	VS	Oman
04/06/13	TBA		Japan	VS	Australia
11/06/13	TBA		Australia	VS	Jordan
18/06/13	TBA		Australia	VS	Iraq

Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/asia/matches/team=43976/index.html