While both players and fans alike would have preferred to secure qualification already, the road that Australia must now tread to get to Russia can help inspire a nation once again.

Australian fans are accustomed to play-offs or finals to decide a winner, so the prospect of two knockout ties is one that will resonate with fans of other sports.

For football fans, a league or group format is normal, though fans of other sports in Australia are used to a season or competition ending with a knockout series or final.

These are the fans that might show more interest in October and November and help football’s growth in Australia,

For the Socceroos, the timing of the upcoming matches is quite convenient - just after the AFL and NRL grand finals.

Josh Kennedy famously headed the winner against Iraq to clinch 2014 qualification

Fans of those other sports wandering what to do until the cricket season starts can get behind the national team.

If Australia can get past Syria, the play-off against the fourth best team in CONCACAF would be in November, with the second leg more than a week before the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.

It’s a rare window for football to dominate in Australia and the Socceroos would have more media attention than normal.

In 2006, Australia were the second last team to qualify, while four years later, only the hosts, South Africa, and Japan qualified before them. The 2006 qualifying campaign culminated in an unforgettable night in Sydney as John Aloisi’s penalty sent Australia to the World Cup for the first time in 32 years.