Source: Tim Cahill via Facebook.
On Tuesday night the Socceroos got one step closer to their World Cup 2018 dream, overcoming Syria 2-1 (3-2 on aggregate). Now they face Honduras, who finished in fourth place in the CONCACAF group. The first leg will be played at Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, on November 6, before the teams head back to Sydney to play the return leg on November 14.
It will certainly be a massive test for the Roos, as the South American side have some world-class players in their team. As it stands now, the latest soccer tips suggest that Honduras will be too good for the Australians in the first leg, with the home side at $2.15 and the Green and Gold on $3.40.    
Aussie fans will be happy that the second game is on home soil though, so the players know exactly what is required for them to progress. Also the home crowd will be there to urge them on and potentially be the twelfth man that can so often be the difference in these types of matches.
On the night the Syrian Eagles started off in the best possible way, when Al Somah scored the opening goal in the 6th minute and sunk the hearts of the Socceroos faithful. However, it didn’t take long for Australia to strike back through Mr. Reliable,Tim Cahill, just 7 minutes later.  
The game then went into extra time and it was looking like it could head to penalties. But after M. Al Mawas received his second yellow and was sent off the pitch, Australia pushed hard for a winner and was rewarded when once again Cahill became Australia’s saviour and scored his second after a beautiful cross from winger Robbie Kruse.
They will now go on to face Honduras over two legs to qualify for Russia 2018 after a crazy last day of play in the CONCACAF group.
It seemed that Mexico and Costa Rica, who had already qualified, took their foot off the gas on the final day, to a desperate Honduras and Panama who hadn’t given up hope just yet. The United States, who started the day in third place, only needed a draw to see them go through, but were stunned by bottom dwellers Trinidad and Tobago 2-1.
That result gave the other two teams the opportunity they needed to leap frog the USA, and they both latched on to the chance with Panama taking the last automatic place with a 2-1 victory over Costa Rica, and Honduras getting the better of first placed Mexico 3-2.
It was a shocking chain of events for the Americans and they will not be at the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.  
Australia has faced some harsh criticism throughout this qualifying campaign with many questioning whether or not they deserve a spot due to poor performances and not finishing in an automatic slot. Now it’s all on them to earn their place for Russia and show the world their true potential as a football nation.

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