Having matched Asia’s best team away in front of their passionate fans, the Socceroos will be hopeful for a strong win against Jordan next week in Melbourne.
They will definitely have the crowd advantage, with soccer fans coming from all over the country to cheer on the national team at Etihad Stadium.
The Socceroos arrived in Melbourne last Thursday to begin training for their next clash with Jordan and the concluding encounter against Iraq in Sydney on June 18.
Midfielder Mark Milligan says the Socceroos are slowly finding their form and hopes are still high for clinching a qualifying spot.
“Everyone wants to qualify as soon as possible, but at least our destiny is in our own hands,” Milligan told reporters at Melbourne Airport on Thursday.
“That last match against Japan was something we really needed – maybe not so much in terms of a result, but in terms of how we went about our business.
“It was a good start to the three games. It showed in Japan what playing at home in front of a massive crowd can do.
“We are very confident coming to Melbourne that everyone is going to turn up in great numbers at Docklands on Tuesday. It literally is an extra leg at times and very much needed for us.”
Two victories will guarantee the Socceroos a spot in next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil.
Anything less and any one of Jordan, Iraq or Oman could grab the second remaining automatic qualifying berth behind Japan.
The away match for the Socceroos left coach Holger Osieck a little disappointed as the team was in the lead for most of the game.
“When you are very close to winning such a very difficult game, then of course you are disappointed,” he said.
“We know we have to win our home games and must now put our efforts into that.”
As promising as a draw was against one of the best Asian clubs, the Socceroos might have a bit more luck against Jordan.
Their national team has never qualified for the World Cup finals, but have appeared twice in the finals of the Asian Cup, once in 2004 and again in 2011, both times reaching the quarter-final stage.
But their performance might be aided with a bit of bitterness after an embarrassing debacle in Melbourne Airport.
The Jordanian coach, Adnan Hamad, was stopped at customs and detained for several hours even when he had a valid Australian visiting visa.
The Jordanian Football Association says other members of their delegation were also detained inside the airport despite having valid documentation.
The team was so outraged that they said they will contact the sport’s governing body, FIFA, over the incident.
Lets hope they get a better welcome on match night.
The Socceroos play Jordan on Tuesday 11 June 11 at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne. Kick-off is at 7.30 pm, and will be broadcast free to air on SBS.
