Nov 15th, 2017

Nov 15th, 2017

It's do or die for the Socceroos, with their 2018 FIFA World Cup hopes on the line in the second leg of their intercontinental play-off against Honduras in Sydney.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about Australia's situation, when the game kicks off, how to live stream it or watch it on TV, and the permutations of how they can qualify for the big dance next year.

After a 0-0 draw in the first leg, the tie is delicately balanced.

But with plenty on the line, with coach Ange Postecoglou and star Tim Cahill's future in the balance of the result, it's sure to be a big night for the Aussies as they look to seal their spot in Russia.

TV information

Nine's live and free coverage of the Socceroos' game against the Hondurans beings at 7:30pm (AEDT) on Channel Nine, with extensive pre-show interviews and and comment from Nine's football expert commentary team in Michael Bridges, Craig Moore and Clint Stanaway.

Socceroos vs Honduras live stream

The game will be live streamed live and free on 9Now.

Click here to watch the Socceroos vs Honduras live and free on your desktop or mobile.

Kick-off time, date

The Socceroos and Honduras kick off their game on Wednesday 15 November at 8pm AEDT.

The teams will be announced just before the kick off, however, with Tim Cahill set to return having not featured in leg 1 of the play-off. Another interesting question surrounds Mile Jedinak's position in the centre of the field, with Mark Milligan set to return from suspension and expected to return to his spot in the starting line-up.

So make sure you tune into the pre-game to find out exactly who'll represent Australia's chances of qualifying, as well as who they're playing against.

World Cup Qualifying situation

Having finished third in their group, and having gotten through their tense play-off against Syria, the Socceroos are now into the second leg of their play-off with CONCACAF contestant Honduras.

This being the Intercontintental play-off, it is a simple equation of the Socceroos winning this two-leg contest to book a spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Having already played their first leg in Honduras, they return to Australia to determine who gets a spot in Russia.

Whichever side finishes in front on aggregate after the two-game series will go to the World Cup.

So with the result from leg 1 being 0-0, Australia will need a win to secure passage through the World Cup finals. Any win by any margin sees the Socceroos progress.

A 0-0 result will mean the tie goes into extra time, and if the two sides still can't be separated after that, the trip to Russia will be decided by penalties.

A draw where any goals are scored, so 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 or anything higher will see Honduras go through to the World Cup on away goals, with the Socceroos eliminated.

So it's all on the line. There's nowhere to hde for Australia.

Match preview

After 22 matches, 29 months and countless kilometres travelled by the Socceroos to play in 12 countries, it all comes down to this.

Australia's World Cup hopes go on the line at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night against Honduras in their qualifying playoff.

A 0-0 draw in San Pedro Sula in the first leg has the tie delicately poised.

Honduras need to win or claim a score-draw to progress.

Australia must win or triumph on penalties should the full-time score be another deadlock.

It's bound to be a night of high drama, but will the Sydney Olympic venue witness a third qualifying triumph?

In 2005, John Aloisi's penalty sent Australia to a first World Cup in 32 years.

Josh Kennedy's late header against Iraq in 2013 was enough to take the Socceroos to the last tournament in Brazil.

This year, Australia is all-in with coach Ange Postecoglou's all-out attacking style, and the Socceroos coach remains confident it will deliver the result the nation craves.

"This has been the longest World Cup campaign taken by any nation both in the amount of games and in kilometres travelled," Postecoglou said.

"You don't want all that to mean nothing."

Ironically, the one constant through the journey - Postecoglou himself - isn't sure whether he'll be there after the final whistle.

A report last month of his intended resignation sent shockwaves through the Australian soccer landscape.

Postecoglou's future is not the main game on Wednesday night, but it's certainly an intriguing sideshow.

The conviction coach was buoyed by Australia's bright performance in Honduras and is as sure as he can be of progression.

"I've never wavered in my confidence and belief in the players and that's because I've sensed in them they've always had a belief in what we're doing," he said.

"Sometimes the results haven't been as desired but the performances have rarely dropped.

"We've played 21 games and lost two.

"The players have put in a massive shift over the last two and a half years to get us to this point.

"I'm sure (a result) will come and then the opportunity will be there to test themselves against the best in the world."

With a fully fit squad, Postecoglou has plenty to ponder at the selection table and has committed to at least a few changes.

A string of players - Tim Cahill, Mark Milligan, Mat Leckie, Robbie Kruse and James Troisi included - were unused in the first leg and will push for inclusion in Sydney.

Celtic dynamo Tom Rogic is also a likely starter.

For Honduras, coach Jorge Luis Pinto has the benefit of having captain Maynor Figueroa and gun attacker Alberth Elis available after suspension.

"They know what they need to do to get the result they need," Postecoglou said.

"It will be about making sure we control the game at home like we did away from home, minimise their threats and cause some problems the other way.

"At home the tempo will be a lot higher than what it was there and for us it will be about testing them and seeing how much durability and resilience they have to keep us out."

Socceroos squad:

Aziz BEHICH (Bursaspor, TURKEY), Tim CAHILL (Melbourne City, AUSTRALIA), Milos DEGENEK (Yokohama F. Marinos, JAPAN), Alex GERSBACH (Rosenborg BK, NORWAY), Craig GOODWIN (Sparta Rotterdam, NETHERLANDS), Jackson IRVINE (Hull City AFC, ENGLAND), Mile JEDINAK (Aston Villa FC, ENGLAND), James JEGGO (SK Sturm Graz, AUSTRIA), Tomi JURIC (FC Luzern, SWITZERLAND), Matthew JURMAN (Suwon Samsung Bluewings, KOREA REPUBLIC), Robbie KRUSE (VfL Bochum, GERMANY), Mitchell LANGERAK (Levante UD, SPAIN), Mathew LECKIE (Hertha BSC, GERMANY), Massimo LUONGO (Queens Park Rangers FC, ENGLAND), Ryan MCGOWAN (Al-Sharjah SCC, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES), Mark MILLIGAN (Melbourne Victory FC, AUSTRALIA), Aaron MOOY (Huddersfield Town AFC, ENGLAND), Josh RISDON (Western Sydney Wanderers FC, AUSTRALIA), Tom ROGIC (Celtic, SCOTLAND), Nikita RUKAVYTSYA (Maccabi Haifa, ISRAEL), Mathew RYAN (Brighton & Hove Albion, ENGLAND), Trent SAINSBURY (Jiangsu Suning FC, CHINA), James TROISI (Melbourne Victory, AUSTRALIA), Daniel VUKOVIC (KRC Genk, BELGIUM), Bailey WRIGHT (Bristol City, ENGLAND).