The 2018 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF–AFC 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.
The matches were played on 10 and 15 November 2017. 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 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 first inter-confederation play-off appearance as an AFC member, their previous appearances being as an OFC member.
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.
First leg
GK 22 Donis EscoberCB 21 Brayan Beckeles CB 23 Johnny Palacios CB 3 Henry FigueroaRM 9 Anthony Lozano CM 20 Jorge Claros CM 8 Alfredo MejíaLM 7 Emilio Izaguirre (c)RF 11 Carlos Lanza CF 12 Romell QuiotoLF 16 Luis López Substitutions:FW 17 Michaell Chirinos MF 10 Mario Martínez FW 13 Carlo Costly Manager: Jorge Luis Pinto GK 1 Mathew RyanRB 8 Bailey WrightCB 20 Trent Sainsbury CB 15 Mile Jedinak (c)LB 6 Matthew Jurman CM 22 Jackson Irvine CM 21 Massimo Luongo CM 13 Aaron MooyRF 7 Josh Risdon CF 9 Tomi Juric LF 16 Aziz BehichSubstitutions:MF 23 Tom Rogic DF 2 Miloš Degenek FW 17 Nikita Rukavytsya Manager:Ange Postecoglou
Assistant referees: Lorenzo Manganelli (Italy) Riccardo di Fiore (Italy) Fourth official: Paolo Tagliavento (Italy)
Second leg
GK 1 Mathew RyanRB 8 Bailey WrightCB 20 Trent Sainsbury CB 5 Mark Milligan LB 6 Matthew Jurman CM 15 Mile Jedinak (c)CM 13 Aaron Mooy RW 7 Mathew Leckie AM 23 Tom Rogic LW 16 Aziz BehichCF 4 Tim Cahill Substitutions:FW 9 Tomi Juric FW 10 Robbie Kruse MF 14 James Troisi Manager:Ange Postecoglou GK 22 Donis EscoberCB 21 Brayan BeckelesCB 23 Johnny Palacios CB 5 Éver AlvaradoRM 17 Alberth ElisCM 20 Jorge Claros CM 6 Bryan AcostaLM 3 Maynor Figueroa (c) RF 9 Anthony LozanoCF 12 Romell Quioto LF 7 Emilio Izaguirre Substitutions:DF 4 Henry Figueroa MF 10 Mario Martínez FW 11 Eddie Hernández Manager: Jorge Luis Pinto
Assistant referees: Hernán Maidana (Argentina) Juan Pablo Belatti (Argentina) Fourth official: Patricio Loustau (Argentina)
References
External links
Qualifiers, FIFA.com