Overview

• Australia and Saudi Arabia are tied with five points each in Group C, trailing leaders Japan by five points.
• Newly appointed coaches Tony Popovic for Australia and Herve Renard for Saudi Arabia seek to revitalize their teams' campaigns.
• Australia's Craig Goodwin is suspended, leaving a gap in the lineup, with Ajdin Hrustic expected to step in.
• Saudi Arabia's squad is missing key player Salem Al-Dawsari due to injury, but veteran Salman Al-Faraj returns.
• The match is pivotal for both teams, as only the top two in each group automatically qualify for the World Cup.