Draw leaves Australia with slender advantage
Australia earned a scoreless draw against Honduras in the first of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia intercontinental play -off ,gaining a silm advantage heading into the return match.
It was the Socceroos who domainted the home side for periodes of the match on an exceptionally heavy pitch in San pedro Sula,but they were unable to finish any of their opportunities.
Tomi juric had two excellent sights of goal---one in each half ---while the lively Massimo Luongo forced Donis Escober into an early save.
Honduras failed to test Australia Goalkeeper Mat Ryan until final ten minutes when substitute forwaed Carlo Costly reaced omtona long ball to force a save with a stinging shot.
Australia will be chasing a fourth successive World Cup qualification,and Honduras a third,when the team's match-up in Sydney on Wednessday.
"Overall I couldn't be happier," said Australia coach Ange Postecoglou. "But we are just missing that clinical edge. I though we were really solid defensive on a different pitch and we held our ine really well.
"It was good a performance as we could expect in the circumstances. We go hard [In Sedney], and we wil have plenty of players who didn't play available to us."
Host Nation - Russia
Russia was chosen to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.It is a first for Russia.And as one can imagine, the preparation started as early as 2009 when the groundwork was being laid.An estimated $10 billion is to be spent for 2018 coccer tournement. It was announced on 2nd December 2010 that Russia Wil be host.
How far can Russia advance in this unpredictable 2018 FIFA World Cup?
I dare say the Quarter -Finals is within their grasp!
What are your thoughts about the 2018 FIFA World Cup? Has it lived up to your expectation thus far? Can the host nation rise up to the occasion and out-perform their histry?
