- Caltex Socceroos to play Syria in a World Cup Asian Qualifier at Stadium Australia on Tuesday 10 October;
- The Socceroos will play an away leg in Malaysia on Thursday 5 October before an all-or-nothing tie against Syria in Sydney:
- Tickets will go on sale to general public at 12noon on Tuesday 12 September via Ticketek;
- Should the Socceroos win on 10 October, there will be another World Cup Qualifier played at Stadium Australia on 14 November;
- ANZ Stadium Members will have access to the World Cup Qualifier. Member bookings open 9am Friday 8 September.
Julian Keith
THE Caltex Socceroos will face Syria in a make-or-break match in Round 4 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Tuesday 10 October.
Five days earlier the Socceroos will take on Syria in the away leg of the Qualifier in Malaysia before returning to home soil for the home leg.
The winner of the Asian Play-off will then face the fourth-placed team from the CONCACAF region in a two-legged home-and-away series in November for a place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Results going their way, the second leg on 14 November will again be played at Stadium Australia.
The Socceroos have a remarkable record at Stadium Australia in Sydney Olympic Park – with 8 wins, 1 draw and only 1 loss in their last 10 competitive outings at the venue. Stadium Australia is the generic name for Stadium Australia – Sydney’s Olympic stadium.
Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop said a pulsating crowd on 10 October would go a long way to helping the Socceroos progress to the final round of World Cup Qualifying.
“Stadium Australia has been a successful venue for us in the past. We’ve had some very special results there and I’m sure this will be another one,” he said.
“FFA has partnered with the NSW Government to bring this match to Sydney and I hope that everyone who can will get there and get behind our team.
“We are all disappointed that we did not achieve direct qualification from our group but we are confident we can still make it to Russia.
“It’s just a longer, harder road but we are focused on supporting Ange, his support staff and the playing group. We are experienced in the challenges of being on the road for away games but being at home brings our players in from the four corners of the globe and we expect it to be a big occasion for the football family and the nation.”
NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said: “The NSW Government is proud to be supporting this hugely important event and bring it to Sydney’s Stadium Australia. I encourage every football fan to secure their tickets, make it a memorable night and show their support for the Socceroos in Sydney.”
Stadium Australia CEO Daryl Kerry said: “The Socceroos game on 10 October will be one of the great sporting events of the year and I’m sure fans will rally behind their national team when the players need them most.
“This Stadium has been the venue for so many of Australian Football’s greatest moments . . . who will ever forget the magic of John Aloisi’s penalty to win the 2005 World Cup Play-Off against Uruguay, Josh Kennedy’s header to send the Socceroos to the 2014 World Cup, or Australia’s dramatic victory in the Final of the AFC Asian Cup in January 2015.
“No-one will want to miss this do-or-die game in Sydney.”
Tickets will go on general sale at midday (AEST) on Tuesday 12 September 2017. Tickets and ticketing information will be available from www.socceroos.com.au/tickets
