Australia forward Mathew Leckie (L) competes for the ball against Tajikistan's Fathullo Fathuloev. (Photo : Getty Images)
A crucial game between Australia (3-1-0, 9 points) and Kyrgyzstan (2-1-2, 8 points) in the Group B competitions of the AFC 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers is scheduled on Thursday, November 12th at the Canberra Stadium as both teams vie for the top two positions of the bracket.
The first and second placed teams of each group after the second round will advance in the third round of the World Cup qualifiers and outright to the Asian Cup or the Asian Cup qualifying third round.
The Socceroos were upset by Jordan, 0-2, in their match last month at the Amman International Stadium to deny the Australians the top spot in Group B, as reported by USA Today.
Ange Postecoglou's men were held scoreless by Al-Nashāmā's superb defense as Jordanian midfielder Hassan Abdel-Fattah and forward Hamza Al-Dardour scored a goal each for Paul Put's squad at the 47th and 84th minutes.
Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan found itself on the winning end of a 2-0 score as it beat winless Bangladesh at the Spartak Stadium in Bishkek on October 13, as per Soccerway.
Snow Leopards striker Vitalij Lux and forward Ildar Amirov contributed a goal each to give Aleksandr Krestinin's squad three points in the Group B standings and move within one point of the Socceroos.
Australia defeated Kyrgyzstan, 2-1, during their first meeting of the tourney at the Spartak Stadium and playing at home this time certainly gives added advantage to coach Postecoglou's side.
The predicted result is another 2-1 triumph for Australia.
Australia starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Federici; Davidson, Spiranovic, Wright, Wilkinson; Milligan, Rogić; Oar, Mooy, Luongo; Leckie
Kyrgyzstan starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Matiash; Kichin, Maier, Baymatov, Kozubaev; Sidorenko, Musabekov, Zemlianukhin, Bernhardt; Murzaev, Lux
