’Roos venue surprise

THE Socceroos’ path to the World Cup is about to get tougher with next month’s qualifying playoff against Syria likely to be played in the Middle East — not in Malaysia.

War-torn Syria has not played on home soil since 2010 and staged all of its third-round Asian qualifiers in Malaysia, where it was anticipated it would play host to Australia on October 5.

But it is understood there are moves being made by Syria’s foot- ball association to ensure the clash will be held in either Jordan, Qatar or the United Arab Emirates — instead of on Australia’s doorstep in South-East Asia.

Reports from overseas suggest Abu Dhabi is the frontrunner.

Football Federation Australia is eagerly awaiting the venue announcement from the Asian Football Confederation, with official word expected in the next 24 hours.

“We haven’t heard anything officially but we’re also watching to see when the venue will be confirmed,” FFA chief execu- tive David Gallop said yesterday.

The return leg, on October 10, is locked in for ANZ Stadium in Sydney. The Socceroos have traditionally struggled in the Middle East and have won only two of their past five qualifiers in the region.

However, the most recent win was one of Australia’s best performances in recent memory, defeating the UAE 1-0 in steaming conditions in Abu Dhabi last November.

The winner of the two-legged clash between Australia and Syria will take on North and Central America’s fourth-best team in another playoff for a place at Russia 2018.

Meanwhile, Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak has returned to the Aston Villa team sheet for the first time since May.

The midfielder has not played since the 3-2 World Cup qualifying win against Saudi Arabia in early June because of a groin problem.

Jedinak was an unused substitute in Sunday’s 0-0 home draw with Brentford but should return to the Socceroos squad for the two-legged playoff against Syria on October 5 and 10.