Soccer: Socceroos face must-win clash in Jakarta

Australia cannot afford to slip up again when they take on Indonesia in their second World Cup third round qualifier on Tuesday night.

The Socceroos got their Group C campaign off to the worst possible start as they suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat against Bahrain.

The result puts them on the back foot from the off, as only two automatically qualify from a group that also includes Japan and Saudi Arabia.

It means that three points against Indonesia in Jakarta is a must and anything less will put their qualifying hopes in severe jeopardy.

However, it will be far from easy as Indonesia have already shown what they are capable of following a 1-1 draw with the Saudis.

Back on home soil with the backing of 75,000 supporters, they will be a tough, determined opponent and the Socceroos will need to raise their game to get the job done.

Let’s take a look ahead to the crucial World Cup qualifier.

. What: Indonesia v Australia
. Where: Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
. When: 22:00 (AEST), Tuesday 10th September
. How to watch: Channel 10, Paramount +
. Odds: Indonesia 5.50, Draw 3.70, Australia 1.70

Baccus return a boost for Socceroos

Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold has been boosted by the news that midfielder Keanu Baccus is back available for this crucial clash.

The midfielder, who plays his football in England with Mansfield Town, was forced to watch from the sidelines as Australia lost 1-0 against Bahrain.

However, Baccus has recovered from the ‘minor problem’ that kept him out of the game and is available for selection.

Arnold has been forced into making one change to his 24-man squad after Portsmouth star Kusini Yengi was sent off in the Bahrain defeat.

With Yengi having to serve a suspension, Arnold has drafted in John Iredale as a replacement.

Yengi played as a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Bahrain and Arnold now has a decision to make over who replaces him.

Adam Taggart, Nestory Irankunda and Mitchell Duke are options for Arnold, who is likely to keep the changes to a minimum.

If Taggart does get the nod to start, the Perth Glory striker can be backed at 4.75 to score the first goal of the game, or 2.60 to score at anytime.

Head-to-head meetings

The Socceroos have faced Indonesia on a total of 17 occasions, winning 12, drawing three and losing just the one.

The last time the two sides met was at the start of this year when the Socceroos ran out 4-0 winners in AFC Asian Cup, Round of 16 clash.

It was a close contest until the Socceroos grabbed two late goals and the scoreline did flatter Arnold’s side a little.

Martin Boyle was on the scoresheet in that game and can be backed at 3.60 to grab another at anytime of Tuesday night.

The Socceroos have struggled to create chances and score goals against sides that tend to sit back and defend.

Therefore, we could be in for a low-scoring affair on Tuesday night and under 2.5 goals in the game can be backed at 1.65.