Australia target easier path to World Cup ahead of Japan clash

SYDNEY – Australia’s Milos Degenek said he has been impressing on younger teammates how tough it is to get to the World Cup through intercontinental play-offs, as they prepare for their last two matches in the third round of Asian qualifying.

A first win over Japan in 16 years in Perth on June 5 would put Australia well on their way to the Finals in North America in 2026, but will not get them over the line if Saudi Arabia beat Bahrain in a later match.

The Socceroos have a three-point edge and a healthy goal difference advantage over the Saudis, their main rivals for second place in Group C and their opponents in their final qualifier in Jeddah on June 10.

The expansion of the World Cup means Australia still have room for error but Degenek, a veteran of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup campaigns that were secured by play-off wins over Honduras and Peru, is loathe to take any chances.

“It’s never easy when you go to those knockout games (and) it’s a lot easier if you qualify through the group stage directly,” the former Red Star Belgrade defender said in Perth this week.

“It’s been hammered home and I think the boys are well aware of the situation, that there are two games that are separating us from going to a World Cup.”

If Australia do beat the Samurai Blue, they still face a long wait to find out if they have secured a berth at a sixth straight World Cup Finals.

The Saudis kick off in Bahrain some five hours after Australia and Japan, potentially leaving the Socceroos players on tenterhooks well into the early hours of Friday morning.

“If we do get the win, hopefully we will, we are obviously almost there,” Degenek added.