no not quiet exactly, Australia will play against Solomon islands in september, the winner of these two will play against the fifth place african team
If they make it that far Australia can beat the 5th place South American team, especially if Hiddink is coaching. However whether they will is another question...
What are you guys thinking? When was the last time the Oceania winner beat the 5th place South American squad. You guys are brain dead, and how can you say "they can" but "will they" that makes no sense, what are you saying they lose ever 4 years on purpose cause the dont want to go to the World Cup.
It makes perfect sense. Australia is a skilled team and has the on the field skill to do it, what I question is their "mental toughness." They don't ever play in the rowdy environments that exist in South America. Last time around they were visibly rattled by their reception in SA and their game suffered because of it. That's what I meant anyway.
Actually, it makes perfect sense. The Socceroos definitely have the ability to beat the fifth placed South American side, but whether they will or not is a totally difference argument. If the Socceroos can have their strongest squad on the park, I am confident that they will defeat the fifth ranked South American team (possibly Uruguay again) and qualify for the World Cup. A lot will rely on the fitness of Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka. Cahill, Bresciano and Emerton need to be at their usual best. If all this happens, the Socceroos will qualify. Simple.
If they cant beat the likes of Tunisia why should they be expected to beat a Conmebol team over 2 legs?? Having a part-time coach is a mistake .Hiddink will be totally focused on PSV.
do they really? hasn't australia been playing a south american team for the past 1000 years in order to go to the world cup and they lost every time??
C'mon man, you've been around long enough to know you can't judge a team by one game. That'd be like saying when the US beat Brazil how many ever years ago that there's no way that Brazil could qualify out of CONMEBOL if they couldn't beat the US. I agree, part time coach doesn't seem like a good idea.
Yet Australia beat England two months ago. Anything can happen, and Australia has shown it is an extremely inconsistent football nation. I think it was in 2001 that Australia held the French to a draw, also. FWIW, Australia didn't exactly field its strongest side against Tunisa, and Frank Farina later said if he knew his job as manager was on the line, he wouldn't have fielded such a medicore side and would have tried harder to win the match.
hahaha ,you're only claim to "fame". Fluke win in a one off friendly. You cant live off that win forever. oh yeah ,very inconsistant seeing as you never qualify for the world cup.
Since when do you have to qualify for the world cup to play against other nations? Sure, the competition may not be as fierce, but Australia has done well against far stronger football nations. Considering Australia has a population of only twenty million, and that "soccer" isn't one of Australias main sports played (Aussie Rules, Cricket and Rugby are more popular), I think Australia does alright. "Soccer" is slowly increasing in popularity in Australia, so it is only time before the Socceroos make it to their first World Cup since 1974, and there's no reason why it won't be 2006 Germany.
there is no such thing as a fith place african side, they do it in groups. and to the last poster... mexico is not in SA.
There won't be any African side to worry about. South American sides only. I haven't checked the standings for South America in a while, but the last time I checked, Argentina and Brazil were doing quite well, so thankfully the Socceroos won't have to play them in the qualifying matches. I'm pretty confident the Socceroos will be playing either Uruguay or Columbia, but we'll soon see.
Australia have a good team, and im glad their goping to Asia to have more competition, as far as beating the 5th place S.A team..its very possible, i was impressed ith them at the Confederations Cup despite losing all 3 games.