The draw for the second round of World Cup qualifiers was made in Kuala Lumpur tonight (Wed).

The Socceroos were drawn in Group B along with West Asian nations Jordan and Kuwait, plus relative unknowns in Nepal and Chinese Taipei.

Jordan has historically proven difficult at home for the Green and Gold in front of their passionate fans in Amman.

Former Socceroo defender Rob Cornthwaite told FTBL that for an Australian team without experienced heads such as Mile Jedinak and Tim Cahill, this will be an especially difficult path.

“With a young squad you probably want to avoid some of the difficult trips, and in the past, the Socceroos have struggled in West Asia,” the former A-League, K-League and Malaysian League central defender told FTBL.

As Cornthwaite notes, this World Cup qualification path will begin with a younger and fresher national team under the wily Graham Arnold.

 

Playing in places such as Katmandu, Amman, and Kuwait City, plus in Chinese Taipei will be the making of this younger group.

“It’s time for them to step up now.

“There’s always been that big personality in the group or that big player.

“Maybe now we’re going to see the next big star emerge as a leader who steps up.

“You look at a Trent Sainsbury, and he’d be primed to take over that kind of role.

"Mat Ryan as well.

 

“And Aaron Mooy hopefully is back in the Premier League next season if he can get a move. And Mat Leckie is a senior player.

“Also, the likes of an Awer Mabil, Chris Ikonomidis, it’s time for them to really make a name for themselves and step out of the shadows of one of those big names of the past and become that focal point of the side," said the now-retired Cornthwaite. 

However, he cautioned that January’s Asian Cup highlighted some of this squad’s shortcomings.

“There could be a few lessons learned along the way,” warned Cornthwaite, capped seven times by his nation.

“The Asian Cup last January was probably a fail in terms of how it ended, and we have some work to do in terms of the lack of goals.

“But Adam Taggart being on fire in Korea is obviously encouraging as the guy to lead the line.

“In saying that some of the lesser teams in Asia have really improved during the last cycle.

“It’s the first stage of qualifying so avoiding those big guns in Pot 1 is good, and though there are some difficult sides in the other groups, I feel more than comfortable that we’ll get out of this group.

“Then the real test comes.”

These second-round qualifiers also serve as Asian Cup 2023 China qualification.

They kick off in September.

Group winners go through to the final stage of group qualifiers, with top two qualifying automatically. 

Cornthwaite added: “Let’s not forget, Australia has been in Asia for about 13 years, so nothing should come as a surprise.

“We should be more than well prepared.

“And with the FFA largely now concentrating on national teams rather than the A-League, there should be no excuse.”