In the midst of the 36-team Asian qualifying tournament, seeded teams such as Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Australia have won back-to-back matches to lead the standings with a six-point advantage, and the road to the World Cup looks within reach. With the number of places in the Asian zone increasing to 8.5, Oceania's Australia is also steadily stepping into the threshold of the World Cup finals along with many other strong Asian teams.
Looking back over the last century, Australia has only had one trip to the World Cup finals, and in 2006, the AFA took the plunge and broke away from the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) to join the AFC, with the intention of avoiding the South American powerhouse in the intercontinental play-offs.
Since then, Australia has been a fish out of water, qualifying for five consecutive World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022) while squeezing out the rest of Asia's competition for a spot.
Despite the fact that Oceania will be given a through slot in the next World Cup, Australia is sticking to the AFC and participating in the World Cup qualifiers in Asia.
In the group stage, Australia was in the same group with Palestine, Lebanon and Bangladesh. With their own strength, Australia swept Bangladesh 7-0 at home in the first round, and won 1-0 on the road against Palestine in the second round, with a total score of 8-0, two consecutive victories without conceding a goal, and led the group standings with a six-point advantage.
Palestine and Lebanon in the same group are slightly weaker and have been left behind by Australia. The Australians are hoping to lock up their qualification two rounds ahead of schedule.
Given Australia's strengths, a place in the tournament is almost in the bag. The team will reach the World Cup final for the seventh time in its history, and it will be difficult for other teams to stop that momentum.
Palestine, Lebanon and Bangladesh, who are in the same group as Australia, will fight for the last promotion place. From the first two rounds, second-ranked Palestine has limited strength. And the overall strength of Lebanon in the last 12-team tournament has declined. Facing Bangladesh, ranked 183rd in the world, they only drew 1-1, two consecutive draws. Unsurprisingly, the three teams will fight fiercely in the final round for the last spot out of the tournament.
It is worth mentioning that the national football team failed to be grouped with the weaker Lebanon, but instead grouped with the strongest team in Thailand's third gear, which undoubtedly made it more difficult to get out of the line.
Imagine if the national football team can be grouped with Australia, Lebanon and Bangladesh, although it is difficult for Australia to avoid, the national football team still has a chance to win over Lebanon and Bangladesh, and at least 80% of the chances of winning the first two places in the group.
According to the schedule, the national soccer team's next world qualifier will be a back-to-back match against Southeast Asian underdogs Singapore in March next year. The team's performance will have a direct impact on its prospects of advancing.
