Australia and New Zealand will do battle in the first of back-to-back International Friendlies in Brisbane on Thursday.
The hosts are gearing up for the beginning of the World Cup in November, while their opponents fell at the last hurdle in their bid to reach the Qatar tournament.
Match preview
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Australia head into their final scheduled games ahead of the upcoming World Cup hoping to build further momentum after their eye-catching qualifying run beginning in 2019, having firstly cruised through the second round with a perfect record from their eight group fixtures.
That saw Graham Arnold's side advance to another group, and with stiffer competition from the likes of Japan and Saudi Arabia, they fell just short of a top-two finish and automatic progression to the upcoming tournament, instead having to go through two more rounds, firstly taking on the United Arab Emirates in June with a place in the Inter-Confederation playoff on the line.
Jackson Irvine put the Socceroos ahead, but their opponents quickly equalised before Ajdin Hrustic wrapped up the victory in normal time with an 83rd-minute goal, booking them a playoff tie with South American outfit Peru in Qatar.
That game would remain goalless throughout, and after neither team managed to break the deadlock in injury time either, a penalty shootout decided their fate and Australia would prevail with Awer Mabil's converted spot kick proving decisive in sudden death prior to Andrew Redmayne's save to deny Alex Valera and send his nation through.
With their fifth consecutive World Cup appearance now on the horizon, and a relatively tough group featuring Tunisia, Denmark and defending champions France, Arnold's men will aim to continue building confidence with a win over their neighbours on Thursday.
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Their opponents will aim to bounce back from their disappointment in World Cup qualifying, having also reached an Inter-Confederation playoff before falling just short.
The All Whites went through the Oceanian qualifying route and cruised through to the final four with three wins from three group stage games, before coming away from a semi-final tie against Tahiti with a narrow 1-0 victory.
That booked a tie with the Solomon Islands in the regional final, and Danny Hay's side would be far more convincing in that contest, dishing out a 5-0 thrashing as Bill Tuiloma hit a brace alongside goals from Chris Wood, Joe Bell and Matthew Garbett, but with no guaranteed World Cup place for the Oceania route, they also faced a playoff tie.
Costa Rica stood in their way in June and led throughout thanks to Joel Campbell's third-minute opener, and as New Zealand failed to draw level, their task was made even tougher following Kosta Barbarouses's second-half red card and they eventually slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat, continuing their wait for a World Cup place after most recently bowing out of the group stage in 2010.
While they have no competitive action looming, Hay's side will still look to get one over on their rivals in the coming week and will hope to record a victory in their trip to Brisbane.
Team News
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In their final games before the World Cup, Arnold has a chance to work out his preferred Australia side, and a strong XI is expected on Thursday as a result, although there are several notable absences from the squad including Tom Rogic, who recently joined West Bromwich Albion after a spell without a club, and defenders Harry Souttar and Kye Rowles, who are both out injured.
Jamie Maclaren and Mitchell Duke will likely fight to lead the line, while the likes of Martin Boyle and Mathew Leckie pose further threat from the wings with Jackson Irvine, Riley McGree and Ajdin Hrustic fighting to complete the attacking unit in advanced midfield roles in front of either Aaron Mooy or Cammy Devlin.
It is yet to be seen whether Andrew Redmayne's heroics in their World Cup playoff penalty shootout will earn him a place in the starting XI, although Mathew Ryan is more likely to get the nod, while the absence of Rowles leaves another free spot in defence, with Trent Sainsbury and Bailey Wright set to partner up in the middle of the back four.
Despite being without a club since last year, Winston Reid should continue to command the New Zealand defence and don the captain's armband, with Bill Tuiloma also bound to play an important role at the back.
Their line will be led by Newcastle United forward Chris Wood, who tops his nation's all-time scoring charts with 33 goals in 68 caps, while the likes of Alex Greive, Elijah Just and Ben Waine are also pushing to feature up front.
Australia possible starting lineup:
Ryan; Atkinson, Wright, Sainsbury, Behich; Mooy; Boyle, Hrustic, McGree, Leckie; Duke
New Zealand possible starting lineup:
Sail; Tuiloma, Reed, Boxall; Payne, Howieson, Bell, Cacace; Barbarouses; Wood, Greive
We say: Australia 3-1 New Zealand
New Zealand have the ability to cause their opponents problems, but the Socceroos have the stronger squad all round and should have enough to pick up the win on home soil.
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Top tip
Sam Varley
