Overview

• A 1-0 victory over already-qualified Japan, courtesy of Aziz Behich’s stoppage-time strike, has put Australia three points clear in Group C
• Saudi Arabia must deliver a five-goal win in Jeddah’s 39°C heat to overtake Australia for the second automatic Asian spot
• Coach Tony Popovic and midfielder Connor Metcalfe have urged teammates to block out Saudi gamesmanship and maintain focus
• A defeat by up to four goals will still send Australia to its seventh World Cup, with its last loss by five-plus goals occurring in 2013
• Third- and fourth-place finishers, including Palestine pending their match against Oman, will enter another qualifying round for two remaining berths