MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia's crucial final World Cup qualifying match against Thailand on Sept. 5 has been confirmed for Melbourne's Rectangular Stadium, Football Federation Australia said on Saturday. The top two sides in each of the two groups in the third round of Asia qualifying will advance directly to the finals in Russia. The two third placed teams then play each other for a spot in an intercontinental playoff. "Its definitely crunch time in the qualification campaign and this match against Thailand will be pivotal," FFA chief executive David Gallop said in a statement on Saturday. Saudi Arabia play their penultimate match against the United Arab Emirates in Al Ain before they host Japan in Jeddah on Sept. 5.

Source: The Star July 15, 2017 02:26 UTC