2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF–AFC play-off)

The 2018 FIFA World Cup CONCACAFAFC qualification play-off was a two-legged home-and-away tie between the fourth-placed team from the CONCACAF fifth round, Honduras, and the winner of the AFC fourth round play-off, Australia.

2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
(CONCACAFAFC play-off)
Event2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
on aggregate
First leg
Date10 November 2017 (2017-11-10)
VenueEstadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula
RefereeDaniele Orsato (Italy)
Attendance38,000
Second leg
Date15 November 2017 (2017-11-15)
VenueStadium Australia, Sydney
RefereeNéstor Pitana (Argentina)
Attendance77,060

The matches were played on 10 and 15 November 2017.[1] After a 0–0 draw in the opening leg at Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, Australia defeated Honduras 3–1 in the second leg at Stadium Australia, winning the tie by the same margin on aggregate. Australia therefore qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals, reaching the tournament for the fifth time, and fourth in succession.

Overview

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The play-off marked the sixth inter-confederation play-off participation for Australia after previously defeating Uruguay in 2005, losing to Uruguay in 2001, losing to Iran in 1997, losing to Argentina after defeating Canada in 1993, and losing to Scotland in 1985. This was also their second play-off appearance as an AFC member, and the first since 1974 (in wich Australia qualified for the first time for the tournament).

This was Honduras' first participation in the inter-confederation play-offs; they finished fourth in the final round of the CONCACAF qualification after the United States lost to Trinidad and Tobago 2–1, which caused the United States to not qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986.

The draw for the order in which the two matches would be played was held by FIFA on 25 July 2015 at the World Cup Preliminary Draw.[2]

First leg

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First leg
Honduras  0–0  Australia
Report
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Honduras
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Australia
GK 22 Donis Escober
RB 21 Brayan Beckeles   19'
CB 23 Johnny Palacios   37'
CB   3 Henry Figueroa
LB   7 Emilio Izaguirre (c)
CM 20 Jorge Claros   78'
CM   8 Alfredo Mejía
CM 16 Luis Alfredo López   66'
RF   9 Anthony Lozano   73'
CF 11 Carlos Lanza   60'
LF 12 Romell Quioto
Substitutions:
MF 17 Michaell Chirinos   60'
MF 10 Mario Martínez   90+3'   66'
FW 13 Carlo Costly   73'
Manager:
  Jorge Luis Pinto
 
GK   1 Mathew Ryan
RB   8 Bailey Wright
CB 20 Trent Sainsbury   48'
CB 15 Mile Jedinak (c)
LB   6 Matthew Jurman   47'
CM 22 Jackson Irvine   74'
CM 21 Massimo Luongo   87'
CM 13 Aaron Mooy
RF   7 Josh Risdon   39'   84'
CF   9 Tomi Juric   89'
LF 16 Aziz Behich
Substitutions:
MF 23 Tom Rogic   74'
DF   2 Miloš Degenek   84'
FW 17 Nikita Rukavytsya   89'
Manager:
Ange Postecoglou

Assistant referees:
Lorenzo Manganelli (Italy)
Riccardo di Fiore (Italy)
Fourth official:
Paolo Tagliavento (Italy)

Second leg

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Second leg
Australia  3–1  Honduras
Jedinak   54', 72' (pen.), 85' (pen.) Report Elis   90+3'
Attendance: 77,060
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Australia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Honduras
GK   1 Mathew Ryan
RB   8 Bailey Wright
CB 20 Trent Sainsbury   88'
CB   5 Mark Milligan   89'
LB   6 Matthew Jurman   2'
CM 15 Mile Jedinak (c)
CM 13 Aaron Mooy   45+2'
RW   7 Mathew Leckie   81'
AM 23 Tom Rogic   77'
LW 16 Aziz Behich
CF   4 Tim Cahill   66'
Substitutions:
FW   9 Tomi Juric   66'
FW 10 Robbie Kruse   77'
MF 14 James Troisi   89'
Manager:
Ange Postecoglou
 
GK 22 Donis Escober
RB 21 Brayan Beckeles
CB 23 Johnny Palacios   84'
CB   5 Éver Alvarado
LB   3 Maynor Figueroa (c)   19'
RM 17 Alberth Elis
CM 20 Jorge Claros   57'
CM   6 Bryan Acosta
LM   7 Emilio Izaguirre   42'
CF   9 Anthony Lozano
CF 12 Romell Quioto   75'
Substitutions:
DF   4 Henry Figueroa   42'   73'
MF 10 Mario Martínez   73'
FW 11 Eddie Hernández   75'
Manager:
  Jorge Luis Pinto

Assistant referees:
Hernán Maidana (Argentina)
Juan Pablo Belatti (Argentina)
Fourth official:
Patricio Loustau (Argentina)

References

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  1. ^ "Dates set for Socceroos-Honduras World Cup qualifier". SBS the World Game. 15 October 2017.
  2. ^ "Preliminary Draw procedures outlined". FIFA.com. 9 July 2015. Archived from the original on July 12, 2015.
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