The first phase of the Socceroos 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign was announced in Malaysia on April 15, 2015, with each qualifying pool draw. To progress to the 2018 World Cup Finals .. http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/index.html , Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos face a relatively simple qualification path in the first stage after being drawn in 2018 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifying Group B with Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, Tajikistan and Jordan.
The reigning Asian Cup champions for 2015, the Socceroos will fancy themselves getting out in top spot of this group.
Game 2. September 3 2015 Socceroos (58) vs Bangladesh (182) 5-0 Highlights 2015 Perth World Cup Qualifying Leckie Rogic Mooy Goals Video
Game 3. September 8 2015 Tajikistan (160) vs Socceroos (58)
Socceroos beat Tajikistan 3-0 in 2018 World Cup qualifier after Tim Cahill brace
Updated 9 Sep 2015, 7:03am
Photo: Leading pack ... Mark Milligan (centre) opened the scoring in Dushanbe before Tim Cahill (right) nabbed a brace. (Getty Images: Francois Nel)
It was far from pretty, but the Socceroos are poised to book their place in the next round of World Cup qualification after battling to a 3-0 win against a gallant Tajikistan.
Coach Ange Postecoglou played down his side's first-half struggles against the Central Asian minnows, who were under siege all night long yet frustrated the visitors by holding them out for nearly an hour.
But once Mark Milligan broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, the gulf in class between the Asian Cup holders and the world's 153rd-ranked side became quickly apparent as Australia sealed a 3-0 victory at the Republican Central Stadium.
"It's like waiting for a bus," said stand-in captain Tim Cahill, who finished with a brace as the Socceroos' patience and belief in their own game plan paid handsome dividends.
Postecoglou was adamant that they never felt concerned by their inability to score.
Australia appeared out of ideas in attack until the first goal came and Tajikistan's will gave way, but that was mostly because unfamiliarity with the artificial pitch led to overblown crosses and mis-hit balls in the final third, according to Postecoglou.
"We were floating stuff in instead of hitting them with purpose and pace, but we have persevered and I think our last two goals in particular were really good team goals," he said.
"The game was played in their half. I know people will focus on the scoreline but that's not what we focus on.
"I'm looking at the game and whether we were controlling the game and we certainly were.
"The players were really disciplined - that's what I said to them at half time. I was in no doubt the last half hour would be ours.
"Once we got one, we get at least a couple more. In the end we probably should have had four or five."
Defender Matthew Spiranovic, who was under a selection cloud due to illness, retained his place at centre-back and was one of Australia's best, along with Aaron Mooy, the 10-cap midfielder who already looks a seasoned international veteran.
"When squad announcements come, rather than hanging on one or two guys, (now) we've really got some depth to choose from," Postecoglou said.
The Socceroos are now top of Group B after three straight wins and face second-placed Jordan away next month. A win there will almost certainly assure a spot in the third and final round of Asian qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Game 4. October 16 2015 Jordan (99) vs Socceroos (58) Game 5. November 12 2015 Socceroos (58) vs Kyrgyzstan (146) Game 6. November 17 2015 Bangladesh (182) vs Socceroos (58) Game 7. March 24 2016 Socceroos (58) vs Tajikistan (160) Game 8. March 29 2016 Socceroos (58) vs Jordan (99)
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