Socceroos itching to confirm World Cup fate
Aziz Behich's wonderful 90th-minute goal against Japan delivered a 1-0 victory in Perth and almost certainly confirmed direct qualification for next year's tournament in North America.
Socceroos players watched together from their hotel as the Saudis beat Bahrain 2-0 overnight, when a draw or loss would have sealed Australia's berth.
Tony Popovic's Australia (16 points, plus eight goal difference) are still well and truly in the box seat to finish second behind Japan ahead of Saudi Arabia (13 points, zero goal difference).
A win, draw or defeat by less than five goals in Jeddah on Wednesday morning (AEST) will confirm Australia's sixth consecutive World Cup finals appearance.
Striker Brandon Borrello said of the Bahrain-Saudi result: "Frustrating. I'll leave it at that. It was probably just frustrating.
"We have to approach the game regardless of Bahrain winning or losing.
"The boss speaks to his elite standards that we have. It's just got to be the same ... so no-one drops the standards.
"Obviously it's frustrating in that sense, but today's a new day, and we've just got to approach it the way we would (normally)."
The Socceroos and Saudi Arabia, led by Herve Renard, drew 0-0 last time out in Melbourne.
"We have to go to Saudi and get a result. They have to win by five ... we're going there to win regardless," Borrello said.
"It's obviously going to be a very heated game but we're up for the challenge."
Popovic's charges are now focused on recovery.
When asked if sealing qualification in Saudi would be more satisfying than having it confirmed at 3am in their hotel rooms, Borrello said: "I don't think it matters how you qualify, as long as you do qualify."
While there were scenes of elation and tears of happiness for the Socceroos on Thursday night, Borrello, who described the win as a reflection of "true-blue Australian grit", was measured on Friday.
"I'm being honest - without sounding arrogant, our intention was to go and beat Japan regardless. And that was the way we spoke," Borrello said.
"That was the language we used around it: we're going to win.
"Obviously, last night, we created a bit of history. It's been a while since we beat Japan, and we knew it was going to happen.
"And the boss said pretty much, if we believe in ourselves half as much as what he believes in us, that we're going to win. So that's what we did."
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