Australia vs Syria - the lowdown

Australia vs Syria, Tuesday October 10 at 8pm AEDT, ANZ Stadium

WHAT THE SOCCEROOS MUST DO

With a 1-1 away draw in hand, the Socceroos need a win by any margin or a goalless draw to secure a final two-legged intercontinental play-off against the fourth-placed finishers from CONCACAF. A 1-1 draw will mean extra-time and potentially even the lottery of a penalty shootout.

IF THEY DON'T?

Australia are out of World Cup calculations, more than two years after they began in June 2015 against Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek. It would be the first time in four instalments the Socceroos have failed to qualify and would end the tenure of coach Ange Postecoglou, who has publicly stated he will walk away from the job at the end of the current cycle.

AUSTRALIA

Tim Cahill is shaping as a potential starter up front while prospective game-changer Tom Rogic is a near-certainty for one of the No.10 slots after being rested for the first leg in Malaysia.

SYRIA

Firas Al Khatib could hold the key. The diminutive forward, widely recognised as Syria's all-time greatest player, was left on the bench for the first leg but inspired his side's revival in a 15-minute cameo alongside the equally venomous Omar Al Somah.

THE CONCACAF EQUATION

As it stands, Panama and Honduras are the next likely play-off opponents with both locked on 10 points and Panama slight favourites to finish fourth. In a boost for Australia, the United States' 4-0 pumping of Panama on Saturday lifted the Americans to third and out of the way. But nothing will be confirmed until Wednesday when the final round kicks off simultaneously.

Wednesday's fixtures (all AEDT):

Trinidad and Tobago v US (11am)

Honduras v Mexico (11am)

Panama v Costa Rica (11am)

CONCACAF WC QUALIFICATION STANDINGS

Country P W D L GD PTS

1. Mexico 9 6 3 0 +10 21

2. Costa Rica 9 4 4 1 +7 16

3. US 9 3 3 3 +5 12

4. Panama 9 2 4 3 -2 10

5. Honduras 9 2 4 3 -7 10

6. Trinidad and Tobago 9 1 0 8 -13 3

KEY DATES

Intercontinental play-off against fourth-placed CONCACAF finisher November 6-14 (dates TBC).