Soccer: Socceroos look to climb world rankings

Australia will wrap up the second phase of World Cup qualification when they take on Palestine in Perth on Tuesday night.

Graham Arnold’s Socceroos are already through to the third phase, but there is still a lot riding on the clash against Palestine.

A victory over Palestine, coupled with South Korea failing to beat China, will mean the Socceroos jump to No.23 in the World rankings.

That would mean a better seeding for the next draw, so it is important the Socceroos get the three points on Tuesday.

Palestine are second in Group I, with two wins and two draws, and they will be no pushovers at HBF Park, Perth.

The Socceroos only just edged past them in the reverse fixture, and have been far from convincing despite dominating Group I.

Another close game could be on the cards.

. What: Australia v Palestine
. Where: HBF Park, Perth
. When: 22:10 (AEST), Tuesday 11th June 2024
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel
. Odds: Australia 1.22, Draw 5.00, Palestine 12.00

Hrustic injury scare for Socceroos

Australia have no fresh injuries to report following a hard-fought 2-0 win over Bangladesh on Thursday, which is a blessing in itself.

Arnold was scathing of the playing surface, labelling it unacceptable and dangerous.

Thankfully, everyone appears to have come through unscathed. There was a scare regards Ajdin Hrustic, who left the field in the second half after being on the receiving end of one or two heavy tackles.

However, early reports suggest he will be okay to play in Perth if Arnold opts to play him.

If he does get the nod, then Hrustic can be backed at 3.75 to score at anytime and add to the goal he scored against Bangladesh.

Kusini Yengi, who was also on the scoresheet on Thursday night, is priced at 4.50 to score the first of the game or 2.20 to score at anytime.

Adam Taggart will be keen to bag in his own backyard of Perth and is 4.00 to get the first goal, should he start.

Arnold set to make changes

The Socceroos will be going all out for the win as they look to climb the world rankings, but Arnold is still expected to make changes.

Perth locals Alessandro Circati and Cameron Burgess are expected to get the nod to play in central defence for starters.

Neither got a taste of the action in Bangladesh, but should come in to replace Harry Souttar and Kye Rowles in the heart of the defence.

Taggart, Cameron Devlin, Daniel Arzani and Josh Nisbet will be the other players pushing to step up from the bench and start.

Bayern Munich-bound Nestory Irankunda made his Socceroos debut against Bangladesh and will be hoping he did enough to keep his place in the side.

Palestine are no mugs

Palestine showed they are no mugs when pushing the Socceroos all the way back in November.

It took a solitary strike from Souttar to get the job done, and it could be another tight game on Australian soil.

Under 2.5 goals in the game can be backed at 2.07, while over 2.5 goals is 1.72.

The Socceroos to win the game 1-0 is also available at 6.50.