Australia returns to Perth for the second time in twelve months to kick off the final round of Asian World Cup Qualifiers, where Iraq are expected to put up a stern test.
It will be the first of two matches for the Socceroos as they will travel to the Middle East soon after for a match against the United Arab Emirates.
No Pushovers
Last October, the Perth crowd saw 45 minutes of competitive football as the hosts raced to a 4-0 lead over the outmatched Bangladesh. History suggests this will be a far greater challenge, as Iraq have caused more than their fair share of problems for the Socceroos.
Since joining the AFC in 2006, these two nations have faced off six times and Australia has never had a comfortable victory.
The first time they played each other as confederation opponents was in the 2007 Asian Cup where Iraq won 3-1 on the way to being crowned champions.
A year later, as a part of World Cup Qualifying, they faced off twice in seven days as each side won their home game 1-0. The 2011 Asian Cup quarter final was perhaps the best match as Australia won 1-0 in extra time courtesy of a Harry Kewell header.
Drawn together once again in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, Australia finally won both games against Iraq, however neither victory was easy. The away match was won thanks to late goals from Tim Cahill and Archie Thompson to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Needing a win in Sydney, Josh Kennedy played Australia’s saviour scoring a late header to send the team to Brazil.
Ali Abbas returns
Former Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC defender Ali Abbas will return to Australia having only recently left to join Pohang Steelers in Korea. Having moved to Australia in 2007 as an asylum seeker after an under 23 international match with Iraq, Abbas became an Australian citizen in 2012 and will have plenty of fond memories as he returns to his adopted home.
Where will the goals come from?
Iraq has proven to be a tough opponent for Australia to score on throughout their history. In nine competitive fixtures, the Socceroos have only scored eleven times.
Known for his love of attacking football, head coach Ange Postecoglou will be hoping they can add significantly to that number in Perth.
There is plenty of goal scoring potential in this squad from front to back. Tim Cahill is always a threat, however he is significantly short of match fitness having only joined Melbourne City in the past few weeks.
Nathan Burns is another goal scoring threat and may get a chance to start up top or Postecoglou and Tomi Juric and Apo Giannou are both looking to establish themselves as the eventual successor to Cahill in the national team. In the midfield players like Tom Rogic, Massimo Luongo and Aaron Mooy are more than capable of scoring when needed and Jackson Irvine is on fire for his club side, scoring in his last three competitive matches for Burton Albion.
Starting XI
Mat Ryan starts in goal having enjoyed consistent minutes with club side Valencia.
Across the backline, look for Milos Degenek and Brad Smith to provide attacking options down both flanks as they try to overlap and overwhelm the Iraqi defenders. Mark Milligan partners Trent Sainsbury in defence.
In the last qualifying round, Postecoglou was more than willing to go with a very attacking midfield knowing they would be able to overwhelm their opponents. This time he has selected Mile Jedinak as his anchor with Aaron Mooy and Massimo Luongo ahead to provide the craft and guile from the centre of the park.
Tom Rogic will provide the creativity, with forwards Tomi Juric and Matt Leckie a typical big-small combo in order to stretch the Iraqi defence.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is how we begin the road to Russia tonight. #AUSvIRQ pic.twitter.com/38qJ7JVdUt
— Caltex Socceroos (@Socceroos) September 1, 2016
Player to Watch – Aaron Mooy
Off to a blistering start in the English Championship with Huddersfield Town, Socceroos fans all over will be hoping that form can continue with the Socceroos. Iraq will be looking to shut him down with some tight marking and the question becomes how will Mooy respond with a target on his back.
Prediction
Australia 2 Iraq 0
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