Socceroos with a 3-1 win over Oman to be 3W from 3 games. Game across the water from Bahrain in Doha. 'Home' game for Australia. Mitch Duke with the 3rd goal.
Saudi also a perfect 3 from 3 in same group. They beat Japan 1-0. Japanese with 1W 2L record will now be desperate to beat Socceroos in a few days at home.
Saudi also a perfect 3 from 3 in same group. They beat Japan 1-0. Japanese with 1W 2L record will now be desperate to beat Socceroos in a few days at home.
With that win it’s now 11 wins in a row for the Socceroos in 2022 WCQ, which is apparently a world record for a single campaign - beating Germany, Spain and Mexico who all have 10. If they win in Japan then that could already be half a foot in Qatar, especially as from next month they’ll have home games, though Japan in third is ominous for if OFC gets drawn against AFC in the playoff.
Early days in qualifying, and of course OFC need to draw the AFC pool ball - but Japan wouldn't be the worst team to play. Them losing to Oman in Game 1 an interesting result.
But reasonably short flight NZ-Japan, some confidence from Olywhites taking them to pens at Olympics, and not too much culture shock or as hostile compared to going to Bogota, Panama City or wherever.
Also the Japanese being incredibly polite are unlikely to arrange fighter jet flyovers, fans spitting at them (Socceroos in Uruguay awhile back) or any of the other antics that the passionate Latino nations can get up to!
But yeah this sort of crystal ball gazing is all a bit pointless until Playoff draw is made (sounds like will be later this month). Still Socceroos v Blue Samurai game in a few days will be an interesting one.