8:03pm: 30th min: Holland, accustomed to the climes of a Vienna winter, is sweating profusely in the Sydney heat. Ibrihim makes a lone run down the right and he's penalised for getting too physical with Jedinak. Holland busy again, trying to release Kruse, but it's over-hit. H'e left his passing range back in Austria.
7:59pm: 25th min: Kruse takes matters into his own hands, sprinting down the centre of the park with a clutch of red shirts in pursuit. He cuts back and delivers the ball to Holland, who takes one touch and has a lash. Oman intercept. A more positive stretch for Australia now, with Holland forcing Al-Habsi off his line again.
7:55pm: 24th minute: Saad Al-Mukhaini skips past his oponent and suddenly there's space ahead of him closing in on the box. That's the kind of space Australia are being denied. Wilkshire curls in a free kick met by Jedinak but he's off target. It's shaping up as a frustrating night.
7:52pm: 21st min: Oman dealing comfortably with the Australian threat so far. A lot of the attack focussed on the left. Holman dispossessed midfield after Jedinak pinched the ball in a dangerous spot. Kruse not getting much work.
7:50pm: 19th minute: Holland overhits a basic pass to the flank and it flies over the sideline. That was after eight or nine passes, sideways. Socceroos struggling to convert their possession into any meaningful attack.
7:47pm: 16th minute: Australia with 63% of the possession after the quarter hour. Subdued atmosphere, and now they're trying to build from the back again. Nice touch by Cahill releases Kruse on the right but his cross is tame and directed at the keeper.
7:44pm: 14th min: Cross from McKay on the left to a rising Cahill dangerous but it's well defended after taking a deflection.
7:43pm: 12th minute: Heavy tackle from Cornthwaite sees the Oman No.6 taken off on a stretcher. But he's back on his feet on the sideline almost immediately, to the jeers of the crowd. Direct ball into the box from Australia had more promise but it's called offside. Another salvo and Wilkshire's cross is claimed by the keeper. Not penetrating on the deck yet.
7:40pm: 9th min: Now Oman with a spring in their step and Al Hosni has a strike but it's comfortably taken by Swarzer. That goal came against the run of play but they appear quick on the transition.
Early strike: Abdul Aziz Al-Miqbali of Oman scores early as Mark Schwarzer and Michael Thwaite look on in despair. Photo: Getty Images
7:38pm: 6th minute: Socceroos feeling their way into the match, trying to shift the ball quickly but WAIT! DISASTER! Oman have scored. The crowd stunned. Great ball over the top by Al Hosni to Al-Miqbali flying into the box on the left and no one there to stop him beating Schwarzer.
7:34pm: 3rd minute: Australia dominating possession early. Decent ball from Holland picks out Brosque around the box, then Holman lively on the left looking to penetrate with some one-touch football.
Poll: Will Australia be able to account for Oman in the World Cup qualifier?
- Yes
47%
- No
53%
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7:30pm: Teams on the field and Al Habsi, the Omani goalkeeper, tipped for a busy night. Kick-off moments away. Brosque has lined up front alongside Cahill, with Holman, Kruse and Thwaite all looking primed for a big night. Schwarzer's 105th cap in the green and gold.
4:58pm:
Sebastian Hassett's look at the key match-ups for tonight's match.
Mark Schwarzer v Ali Al-Habsi
If you thought Mark Schwarzer was revered here, Ali Al-Habsi would be every bit as famous in his homeland. Al-Habsi has become a top player in the English Premier League after leaving Bolton to join Wigan. While Schwarzer won't be expecting much action, he'll have to be alert to the counter-attacking style of the Omanis, which could produce chances. As for Al-Habsi, he'll be preparing for a torrid night.
Mark Milligan v Abdulaziz Al-Muqbali
Word is, after a brilliant season for Melbourne Victory, Mark Milligan is a big chance to start in central defence - even though he's been playing for his club as a defensive midfielder. If Milligan does start, he'll be flat out containing one of the Middle East's most in-form players. Al-Muqbali scored a hat-trick against Haiti in a friendly a week ago and last month scored the only goal in the 1-0 win over Syria in an Asian Cup qualifier.
Mile Jedinak v Ahmed Mubarak
As always, Oman will lean heavily on Mubarak's attacking forays to help unsettle Australia's midfield and defence. Considered by many to be the most creative player from Oman in recent years, his role is doubly important due to the international retirement of Fawzi Bashir. Jedinak will have to ensure Mubarak has little space and continue his own job of helping link the Socceroos defence and attack.
Tim Cahill v Hassan Mudhafar
There's been plenty of talk from the Australian camp all week about how they plan to bombard the Omani penalty box to capitalise on the aerial threat of Tim Cahill. Though he's no longer playing at the top level, Cahill remains an eternal pest to defences everywhere. Mudhafar, 32, has the experience to know what Cahill will try to do - stopping him is a different matter.
Match information
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Kick-Off: Tuesday 7:30pm.
FIFA rankings: Australia 39, Oman 105
Head to Head: Australia 3, Drawn 2, Oman 1.
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