ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) Emerging midfielder Jackson Irvine doesn’t expect Australia’s tricky position in World Cup qualifying to have any influence on how the Socceroos take on Saudi Arabia this week.
The Australians, who have reached the last three World Cups, are third in their Asian qualifying group – three points behind Japan and Saudi Arabia – with three games remaining.
The top two teams in both the Asian qualifying groups get an automatic spot at Russia 2018, with the third-place teams going into a series of playoffs.
After a home game against the Saudis on Thursday, Australia will play a friendly against Brazil to prepare for the Confederations Cup in Russia.