- The Socceroos take home advantage to Sydney after 0-0 draw with Honduras in San Pedro Sula;
- Any winning result at Stadium Australia on Wednesday will see Australia qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup;
- A huge crowd is expected;
- Tickets include return travel on all public transport with fans encouraged to arrive early on the night.
Julian Keith
WIN and we’re in. It’s as simple as that for the Socceroos when they face Honduras in the second leg of their Intercontinental Playoff at Stadium Australia (Stadium Australia) on Wednesday night.
Following their gutsy 0-0 draw in San Pedro Sula on Saturday the Socceroos need only record a win of any kind and they will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
With a huge crowd expected this will be another magical moment for the Socceroos at Stadium Australia, evoking memories of the John Aloisi moment in 2005 and Josh Kennedy’s header in 2013.
Throw your support behind the national team and help see them through to the football’s biggest stage!
Don’t miss the next historic Socceroos game – snap up your tickets here
WHAT’S THE SITUATION?
The Socceroos will play their final make-or-break Asian Qualifier Playoff against Honduras this Wednesday following their 0-0 in San Pedro Sula.
Should the Socceroos win the Playoff they will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
WHEN DO THEY PLAY?
Wednesday 15 November: Socceroos v Honduras – Stadium Australia, Sydney.
Tickets to Socceroos v Honduras in Sydney available here
SOCCEROOS V HONDURAS AT STADIUM AUSTRALIA
- Gates open: 6:00pm
- Team warm-ups: 7:10pm
- Kick-off: 8pm
Fans are strongly encouraged to avoid the Wednesday night traffic and take public transport.
Tickets include return travel on all public transport, including Sydney Olympic Park Major Event Buses. For all the transport details head here.
If you must drive, it’s important you pre-book your parking here.
WHAT THEY SAID
Socceroos head coach Ange Postecoglu: “It takes an awful amount of courage to come here and outplay the opposition and create chances on a pitch like that away from home. It is full credit to the boys.
“It is as good a performance as I could expect on a night like this and the only thing that was missing was a goal.
“We’ll go as hard as we can for 90 or 120 minutes in the second leg. We’ll put the peddle down and they’ll have to keep up.”
Captain Mile Jedinak: “The job’s not done yet but we must take [the result] as a positive.
“Tonight I’m very proud of the boys as we focus on recovery and getting back to Australia and our home crowd.”
Massimo Luongo: “We will still go for it (in the next game) but we need to make sure we are solid and don’t concede. We will go forward in a constructive way.
“With the crowd in Sydney and the pitch and everyone behind us we can get the job done. They will find it difficult.”
THE SOCCEROOS AT STADIUM AUSTRALIA
The Socceroos have an intimidating record at Stadium Australia with 9 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in their last 10 competitive fixtures at the venue.
Some of the Socceroos’ greatest moments have happened at Stadium Australia – who could forget John Aloisi’s winning penalty against Uruguay in 2005 to send the Aussies to their first World Cup since 1974? Or Josh Kennedy’s header against Iraq in 2013? Or the dramatic Asian Cup triumph in 2015? Or most recently, Tim Cahill’s heroics against Syria?
With a fourth consecutive World Cup appearance on the line there’s sure to be more magic on Wednesday 15 November when they face Honduras.
STADIUM AND PRECINCT SECURITY
A high NSW Police and security presence will be in place for Socceroos v Honduras.
Fans are asked to leave additional time for the security screening process when entering the Stadium. This process will include mandatory bag searches and personal checks.
Only small bags (no larger than 30cm x 40cm) are permitted into Stadium Australia for events, and all bags will be checked by security. Fans should arrive without bags if possible.