Aussies Golden Opportunity in AFC

The Socceroos celebrate a goal by Tim Cahill during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier match against Qatar. (David Hardenberg/Getty Images)

Australia have a golden chance next week to consolidate top spot in their third match of their final round World Cup AFC qualifying group against Bahrain.

With the Socceroos already topping Group A’s five nations on six points, a win and three points in Manama (kick-off 2am Thursday November 20 AEDT) would put them eight points clear of bottom placed Bahrain and Uzbekistan (one point each).

Adding to this incentive, the two nations placed immediately below Australia on four points play on the same day in Doha when Qatar face Japan.

With each nation to play a total of eight matches, a top two finish in Group A is the requirement to book an automatic passage to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup.

A loss or draw against Bahrain would place added pressure on the Socceroos with their next match a difficult away clash with Japan on February 11.

Meanwhile, the next generation of Socceroos have qualified for the Under 20 2009 World Cup to be held in Egypt next July.

The young Aussie side containing a nucleus of A-League players ensured their progression by reaching the semi-final stage of the Asian Football Confederation under 19 championships held this month in Saudi Arabia.

In reaching this goal, Australia can thank the magnificent overhead kick from Queensland Roar striker Mitch Nichols deep into extra time that sealed a 2–1 win over DPR Korea in the quarter-final.

Like the Socceroos and Matildas, the younger national teams appear to be benefiting from the regular competition provided by Australia’s membership of the Asian Football Confederation.

Admittedly, qualification for FIFA’s various World Cups is now more difficult through the AFC than was the case prior to 2006 with Australia’s previous path through the Oceania Football Confederation.

But the development of the Australian representative sides for men and women at all age levels is being advanced through playing meaningful matches together more often in multiple AFC tournaments held in a myriad of challenging locations across the Asian region.

A-League Results Round 11

Sydney            1    Wellington        2
Queensland      0    Melbourne        1
Perth               2    Newcastle        2

A-League Ladder    Round 11/21

Team                GD    Points
Melbourne            9    20
*Adelaide             3    17
Sydney                6    16
Queensland          2    15
*Central Coast      4    14
Wellington           -6    12
Newcastle           -7    11
Perth                 -11    11
*To play this weekend

Remaining match Round 11
Saturday November 15
Central Coast vs Adelaide
Bluetongue Stadium, Central Coast, 7.30pm