It's very simple: it’s a must win on Tuesday night in Sydney for the Socceroos. 

They are three points behind leaders Japan and Saudi Arabia in World Cup qualification, and with both hosting the two lowest teams in the group on the same night, the need for an Australian victory is even greater.

On the back of a fourth straight draw - last Thursday's tough 1-1 result with Iraq in Tehran - Australia are banking on home support and the familiar environment of Sydney to help them register three precious points.

But like last week, it won’t be easy. Not one bit.

UAE sit in fourth spot and while they’ll still believe they can make the top two automatic qualification spots, in reality, they’ll have their eye on third.

But for Australia it’s simple: win to stay within reach of top two.

And for Ange Postecoglou, that means going for it. Dominating opposition, dominating possession and creating chances within a new formation that features a back three and two attacking wingbacks. 

AFC has 4.5 qualification spots for the next World Cup with the top two in both AFC groups progressing.

Third place in each group is dragged into a home and away continental showdown with the winner moving into a home and away inter-continental playoff against a CONCACAF nation.

CURRENT WORLD RANKINGS

Australia: 55

UAE: 68

AUSTRALIAN SQUAD NEWS

All players except Mile Jedinak, Massimo Luongo and Matthew Leckie were on the track on Sunday with that trio set to join the rest of the squad later today (Mon) for their final field session at Allianz.

The squad arrived back from Tehran with no injuries to report. 

The word out of the camp is they're not concerned by the external talk around results. They understand the team is on a journey and Tuesday night will be another part of the team's development on the Road to Russia. 

FINAL WORD

The pressure of World Cup qualification collides in Sydney with both nations desperate to boost their chances. 

And right now, UAE coach Mahdi Ali is under huge pressure after a campaign that started with a bang (a stunning win in Japan) but has since fallen flat. 

UAE will also have revenge on their minds, too, after they were knocked out in the Asian Cup semi-finals two years ago by Australia in Newcastle

The Socceroos pulled off their best result of the campaign so far against UAE – a Tim Cahill goal giving them a 1-0 win on a steamy September evening in Abu Dhabi – and the spirit of that night needs to return.

You sense one of these days, Australia will really hammer a team. 

After four draws, Aussie fans will hope that happens on Tuesday night.

MATCH DETAILS

Socceroos v UAE

Tuesday, March 28, 8pm

Sydney Football Stadium