NAIL-BITING SHOWDOWN
World Cup miracle beckons for Syria, China
HONG KONG home games in Malaysia to avoid their country’s bitter civil war, occupy the playoff spot after a win and a draw against China, wins over Uzbekistan and Qatar, and draws with South Korea and Iran.
They play arguably the night’s toughest fixture — away to Iran, who are yet to concede a goal — as they look to stay ahead of Uzbekistan and China, and perhaps even leap-frog South Korea into second place.
Chinese success would be just as eye-catching if they manage to rise from fifth in the group to snatch a playoff spot and stay in the hunt for just their second World Cup appearance.
China were largely written off after defeats to South Korea, Syria and Uzbekistan, but they are reborn since Lippi’s arrival last October, winning twice to keep their hopes just about alive.
If they beat Qatar handily, and South Korea and Iran win against Uzbekistan and Syria respectively, 77th-ranked China can celebrate a major boost in their grand plan to become one of the world’s top football nations.
“I always tell my players, when there is still a theoretical chance, we have no reason to give up. We should make every effort to achieve it,” Lippi said, after last week’s 1-0 win against Uzbekistan.
Australia’s campaign is also in the balance after last week’s 2-0 defeat to Japan left them third in Group B, behind Saudi Arabia on goal difference.
The Asian champions will expect to beat bottom-placed Thailand in Melbourne, and they will hope Japan do them a favour by keeping the Saudis in check in Jeddah.
But a talented United Arab Emirates side also has an outside chance of overhauling Australia with a big win over Iraq, meaning Ange Postecoglou’s side cannot afford any slip-ups.
“We have just got to play well,” Postecoglou told reporters. “If you don’t play well you leave things to chance, and we don’t want to leave things to chance.” AFP