Australia made to wait despite Thailand win

Bengaluru, September 6: Australia missed out on direct qualification for next year's World Cup finals after could manage only a 2-1 win over Thailand.

With Saudi Arabia beating Japan 1-0, the Socceroos will now have to figure in a home-and- away play-offs against Syria in October.

If they get through that, the Socceroos would face the fourth-placed team in Central and North American qualifying over two legs in November for a berth in Russia.Bengaluru, September 6:

At the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, after a goalless first half, Australia took the lead when Tomi Juric headed in the 69th minute.

Pokklaw Anan pulled the visitors level in the 82nd minute, but Mathew Leckie's goal four minutes later secured all three points for the Socceroos.

Australia coach Ange Postecoglou, who is under pressure to hold on to his job said his side was close to finding the consistency to challenge the best.

"I don't think it's a massive improvement (needed), I think it's just a bit more consistency in what we're doing," said Postecoglou.

"That's probably the hardest gap to bridge because only the very best can do it.

"That's that final little hurdle for us and we'll keep having a crack at it, I don't think we're far away," he added.

But that did not stop fans from venting their ire on Twitter as they want the 52-year-old to quit the job.

Congrats Saudi Arabia, well deserved. Finally Ange's arrogance might wear off after a pathetic campaign. #Socceroos #ksavjpn #WorldCup

— latham anderson (@latham_anderson) September 5, 2017

Plz stop crying foul of the Saudis taking as much time as they need to seal their WC fate. Our own incompetence got us here. #Socceroos

— Jono P (@Jono5785) September 5, 2017

Earlier South Korea also made it to Russia 2018 despite being held goalless in Uzbekistan.

It is the Taeguk Warriors's ninth consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup..

Stalemate enough for South Korea to secure World Cup berth