Roos need to beat Peru, and pray

Australia facing Group C gridlock

THE Socceroos’ chase for a place in the second round could go down to the wire — and gridlock in Group C is a distinct possibility.

Australia needs to beat Peru, ideally by several goals, and hope that France beats Denmark.

If the Danes get a point, everything else is irrelevant and Australia goes home.

But, if France and Australia both win, the way teams on equal points are split becomes hugely relevant.

First up, it’s goal difference and goals scored.

If teams are still equal, it is the same list of criteria in the head-to-head games.

At that point, if teams still cannot be split, disciplinary records come into play. Points are taken off for each yellow and red card received throughout the group stage of the tournament.

If Australia was to win 1-0, and Denmark was to lose to France 2-1, they would be inseparable — same points, same goal difference, same goals scored, same head-tohead record.

And guess what? Going into the final round of games, Denmark has four yellow cards, Australia three. It’s that tight. A 1-0 loss for Denmark coupled with a 1-0 win for Australia would send the Socceroos through on goals scored.

But beyond that, every goal for Denmark has to be matched by the Australians.

And what happens if it really does descend into gridlock?

Essentially it’s drawing lots; two team names into a bag, supervised by FIFA, and one drawn out.

It’s not entirely an unprecedented situation.

In 1990, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands finished on precisely the same records, behind England, in Group F in Italy.

With the best four thirdplaced teams going through, they needed to be split by the drawing of names from a hat. Ireland went through in second place, met Romania and won. The Netherlands ended up with Germany and lost.

These could be the stakes facing Australia.

Don’t be surprised if the players are warned to avoid yellow cards like the plague as it could come down to that.

Meanwhile, Andrew Nabbout will miss the Peru clash after dislocating his shoulder against the Danes.

Tomi Juric is favoured to replace him after coming on in the opening two games in Russia, amid growing calls for record goalscorer and talisman Tim Cahill to be unleashed from the start.

Last-ditch call-up Jamie Maclaren is the only other recognised striker in the 23man squad.

Swiss-based Juric, who’s scored eight goals in 37 games, said he was ready to start if called upon.

“I’ve prepared every game the same. We’ll see now what the boss thinks,” he said.