San Pedro Sula: The lights of the Estadio Olimpico will still be glowing in San Pedro Sula as the Socceroos fly over the arena within three hours of the full-time whistle of their first leg play-off with Honduras. As they soar over the Sierra del Merendon​ mountain ranges towards the Pacific Ocean, that's exactly where their recovery will begin.

Only Tim Cahill will have experienced such an extravagant flight experience with Australia's chartered Qantas jet to be turned into a mid-air physiotherapist clinic, just as the national team did 12 years ago. The blueprint used in Uruguay in 2005 will be closely followed once more as Football Federation Australia spares no expense to afford the Socceroos every advantage to reach the World Cup in Russia.

No stone left unturned: The Socceroos' qualification for the 2006 World Cup came after meticulous planning for the two-leg play-off with Uruguay. Credit:Brendan Esposito

Immediately after their post-match team talk, the players will shower and head directly from the stadium to the airport where their plane will be waiting, the engines running. Their bags will already be packed, checked and stored by the national team's support staff before the match meaning the players won't require anything else other than their passports and hand luggage.

By contrast, Honduras' initial recovery will likely take place in San Pedro Sula. "Los Catrachos" will be taking commercial flights to Australia and will land in Sydney at least 24 hours after the Socceroos. To compound their woes, several players will likely have to travel in economy as their federation has struggled to afford the expensive travel and accommodation costs associated with the play-off.