Australia v Indonesia: World Cup Qualifier Preview

Australia will continue their World Cup qualifying campaign when they host Indonesia in a crucial clash on Thursday night.

Japan are running away with Group C, as they lead second-places Australia by a massive nine points.

However the race to grab second place could not be tighter and just one point separates the Socceroos and China, who are bottom of the group.

It means that every game and every point will be crucial, and the Socceroos need to hit some form in this latest round of matches.

They travel to China on Tuesday 25th March, but first up it is Indonesia, and nothing other than three points will do.

Australia v Indonesia betting preview

Socceroos axe the Duke

Socceroos boss Tony Popovic has made some big calls as his side prepare for a crucial double-header against Indonesia and China.

Australia have drawn four of their six Group C games so far to leave them in a precarious position with four games remaining.

They simply have to finish in second spot to avoid another play-off lottery, so cannot afford any more slip ups.

Scoring goals has been an issue for the Socceroos after they were held to goalless draws against Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, and Popovic has taken action.

Experienced striker Duke, a regular under former coach Graham Arnold has been axed, along with young starlet Nestory Irankunda.

Instead Popovic will rely heavily on Kusini Yengi, to get among the goals.

He did just that in the last qualifier, when he bagged both goals in the 2-2 draw away at Bahrain, and will be in the hunt again.

Popovic will also be expecting a response from Melbourne Victory attacker Daniel Arzani, who is a surprise inclusion.

The Socceroos boss was critical of Arzani the last time the squad got together, but is backing him to come good.

Indonesia on a high

Indonesia have won just one game in Group C, but that did come in their last fixture when they defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0.

Marselino Ferdinan was the star of the show for Indonesia, grabbing both goals in the crucial win, and is a player the Socceroos will need to watch.

It is only the second time that Indonesia have kept a clean sheet, the other game being the goalless draw with Australia.

Indonesia have conceded nine goals, so the Socceroos should get chances, they just need to take them.

Indonesia have drawn three games so far in qualifying, and will no doubt set their stall out to try and claim another at Allianz Stadium, Sydney.

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Australia v Indonesia odds

Australia - 1.28
Draw - 5.00
Indonesia - 11.00

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.