Socceroos end mammoth qualifying campaign but work still to be done | Jonathan Howcroft

Victory over Honduras was very much job done but the mastermind behind it may not get to experience the fruits of his labour

The minarets of Red Square are finally visible on the horizon after the longest, windiest qualifying road in World Cup history concluded in Sydney on Wednesday night.

Bookended by goals from the boot of Mile Jedinak, it’s not been the prettiest 29 months of qualification football, but it has at least proved effective. Back in June 2015 Australia left Kyrgyzstan with a 2-1 victory, the first of 22 matches that have taken the Socceroos to all corners of Asia, around Australia, and finally across the Pacific and back. Much of this has been hard-going, for players, coaches and fans alike.

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