Oman only concern for Socceroos ahead of pivotal World Cup qualifying round

31-Jan-2022 23:01:33 | Guardian

Graham Arnold returns to touchline after positive Covid test
‘No use thinking about Japan or Saudi at the moment,’ says coach

As the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifying campaign heads into a pivotal 24-hour period, coach Graham Arnold is refusing to focus on anything but beating next opponents Oman. A win in Muscat on Tuesday (Wednesday 3am AEDT) could propel Arnold’s team back into one of the two automatic qualifying spots in Group B.

Japan are hosting first-placed Saudi Arabia at Saitama a few hours before the Socceroos game and if the second-placed Samurai Blue slip up against the group leaders it will open the door for Australia to jump over their rivals.