Socceroos’ dates with World Cup destiny set
THE Socceroos’ dates with destiny have been set for next month, after FIFA confirmed the schedule for Australia’s World Cup play-offs with Honduras.
The do-or-die games – the winner of which will secure the final place at the World Cup in Russia next year – will be played on November 10 and 15, with Australia travelling to Honduras for the first leg.
The venue and kick-off time for that has not yet been confirmed by the Honduran Football Association, but the game is likely to be played at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula – home to the Honduras national team for most of its games.
Sydney will host the second leg, with FFA believed to be examining the prospect of a charter flight to bring the Socceroos home as quickly as possible.
Commercial flights are routed via America and involve a trip of at least 24 hours.
Honduras won the play-off position by finishing fourth in the Central and North American qualifying programme, thanks to a dramatic victory over top-of-the-table Mexico in the final round of games on Wednesday. Tickets for the
second leg go on sale to the “Football Family” from noon today and to the public at the same time on Thursday, via www.socceroos.com.au/tickets.
“Following last week’s dramatic play-off victory over Syria it comes down to these last two matches to see who will get the final berth at the 2018 FIFA World Cup,” FFA CEO David Gallop said.
“There hasn’t been a more important match played in Australia since our last Intercontinental play-off against Uruguay 12 years ago, and for all of us who were there it was truly a very special moment in Australian sporting history.
“With a place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia at stake we’re calling on all football and sports fans to rally behind the Socceroos.” — Tom Smithies