Approaching Round 3: Australia's history in the final phase of Asian FIFA World Cup Qualifying
As the Socceroos prepare to begin their final phase of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ qualifying next month, re-live how Australia have fared at this stage over the years.
Since joining the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 2006, the Socceroos have successfully qualified for three straight FIFA World Cups in 2010, 2014 and 2018.
With two automatic qualification spots up for grabs, here is how Australia has managed to navigate these high-stakes fixtures over the years.
READ MORE: What's next for the Socceroos?
FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010™ Qualifying
Group A
Finish: 1st
Opponents: Japan, Bahrain, Qatar, Uzbekistan
Final Standings
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 1 | +11 | 20 |
| Japan | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 6 | +5 | 15 |
| Bahrain | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 10 |
| Qatar | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 14 | -9 | 6 |
| Uzbekistan | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 10 | -5 | 4 |
Australia's first foray into Asian Qualifying was a highly successful venture.
Pim Verbeek's side eased through their final group stage without defeat, overcoming Japan in Melbourne as they sealed Australia back-to-back World Cup berths for the first time.
Following on from that memorable day in Kaiserslautern back at the 2006 World Cup, it would signal another chapter in the Socceroos' long rivalry with Japan that would grow and grow in the years that followed.
FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014™ Qualifying
Group B
Finish: 2nd
Opponents: Japan, Jordan, Oman, Iraq
Final Standings
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 5 | +11 | 17 |
| Australia | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 12 | 7 | +5 | 13 |
| Jordan | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 16 | -9 | 10 |
| Oman | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 10 | -3 | 9 |
| Iraq | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 8 | -4 | 5 |
Australia's road to Rio came to a dramatic climax when Josh Kennedy headed home that late winner on a rainy night in Sydney.
Holger Osieck's outfit managed to navigate a tricky group that included away trips, this time finishing in the second automatic qualification place behind Japan.
Fast forward to today, this upcoming campaign will see the Socceroos go toe-to-toe with Japan and Oman again - after overcoming a second-round group including Jordan.
FIFA World Cup Russia 2018™ Qualifying
Group B
Finish: 3rd
Opponents: Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Thailand
Final Standings
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 7 | +10 | 20 |
| Saudi Arabia | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 10 | +7 | 19 |
| Australia | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 16 | 11 | +5 | 19 |
| United Arab Emirates | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 13 | -3 | 13 |
| Iraq | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 12 | -3 | 13 |
| Thailand | 10 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 24 | -18 | 2 |
After a slight tweak to the Asian Qualifying structure expanded the final stage to include six-team groups, the Socceroos knew they were set to embark on their longest road to the World Cup in years.
But rather than an extra two games, a narrow third-place finish behind Japan and Saudi Arabia would send Ange Postecoglou's team into the play-off rounds.
In two heart-stopping home-and-away ties, the Socceroos first overcame fellow AFC third-placed nation Syria 3-2 on aggregate, before taking on CONCACAF nation Honduras.
After a 0-0 draw in San Pedro Sula, a second-half hat-trick from skipper Mile Jedinak in Sydney sealed a 3-1 victory and the final place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.