World Cup permutations

If the Socceroos get six points from their final two games the road to Brazil 2014 should be simple. If not… Well, things get a little complicated.

If the Socceroos get six points from their final two games the road to Brazil 2014 should be simple. If not… Well, things get a little complicated.

With two group rounds / four games remaining (Australia v Jordan, Iraq v Japan June 11; Australia v Iraq, Jordan v Oman June 18), here are all the possible scenarios for Australia to progress past the AFC Round 4 Group B stage - by either finishing second (direct qualification to World Cup), or third (AFC 5th place play-off). Japan have, of course, already secured first position in the Group and direct qualification.

Australia will only qualify directly for the World Cup on points if: - Australia defeats Jordan, then Australia defeats Iraq OR Oman doesn't defeat Jordan; OR - Australia-Jordan draw, then Australia defeats Iraq & Jordan-Oman draw

Otherwise, Australia will qualify for the World Cup directly on goal difference* if: - Australia-Jordan draw, then Australia defeats Iraq, and Australia has better goal difference than Jordan; OR - Australia defeats Jordan and Iraq doesn't defeat Japan, then Iraq defeats Australia and Jordan defeats Oman, and Australia has better goal difference than Jordan; OR - Australia defeats Jordan and Iraq doesn't defeat Japan, then Iraq defeats Australia and Jordan-Oman draw, and Australia has better goal difference than Oman

Otherwise, Australia will qualify for Asian fifth-place play-off directly if: - Australia-Jordan draw, then Australia defeats Iraq, and Australia has worse goal difference than Jordan (Jordan finishes 2nd); OR - Australia defeats Jordan and Iraq doesn't defeat Japan, then Iraq defeats Australia and Jordan defeats Oman, and Australia has worse goal difference than Jordan (Jordan finishes 2nd); OR - Australia defeats Jordan and Iraq doesn't defeat Japan, then Iraq defeats Australia and Jordan-Oman draw, and Australia has worse goal difference than Oman (Oman finishes 2nd); OR - Australia defeats Jordan, then Australia-Iraq draw and Oman defeats Jordan (Oman finishes 2nd); OR - Australia defeats Jordan and Iraq doesn't defeat Japan, then Iraq defeats Australia and Oman defeats Jordan (Oman finishes 2nd); OR - Australia-Jordan draw, then Australia defeats Iraq and Oman defeats Jordan (Oman finishes 2nd); OR - Australia-Jordan draw and Iraq doesn't defeat Japan, then Australia-Iraq draw and Oman defeats Jordan (Oman finishes 2nd); OR - Australia loses to Jordan, then Australia defeats Iraq and Jordan defeats Oman (Jordan finishes 2nd)

Otherwise, Australia will qualify for Asian fifth-place play-off on goal difference* if: - Australia defeats Jordan and Iraq defeats Japan, then Iraq defeats Australia and Jordan-Oman draw (Iraq finishes 2nd), and Australia has better goal difference than Oman; OR - Australia-Jordan draw and Japan doesn't defeat Iraq, then Australia-Iraq draw and Jordan defeats Oman (Jordan finishes 2nd), and Australia has better goal difference than Oman; OR - Australia loses to Jordan, then Australia defeats Iraq and Jordan-Oman draw (Jordan finishes 2nd), and Australia has better goal difference than Oman; OR - Australia defeats Jordan and Iraq defeats Japan, then Iraq defeats Australia and Jordan defeats Oman (Iraq finishes 2nd), and Australia has better goal difference than Jordan; OR - Australia-Jordan draw and Iraq doesn't defeat Japan, then Australia-Iraq draw and Jordan-Oman draw (Oman finishes 2nd), and Australia has better goal difference than Jordan; OR - Australia loses to Jordan, then Australia defeats Iraq and Oman defeats Jordan (Oman finishes 2nd), and Australia has better goal difference than Jordan; OR - Australia-Jordan draw and Iraq defeats Japan, then Australia-Iraq draw and Oman defeats Jordan (Oman finishes 2nd), and Australia has better goal difference than Iraq; OR - Australia-Jordan draw and Iraq defeats Japan, then Australia-Iraq draw and Jordan defeats Oman (Jordan finishes 2nd), and Australia has better goal difference than both Oman and Iraq; OR - Australia-Jordan draw and Iraq defeats Japan, then Australia-Iraq draw and Jordan-Oman draw (Oman finishes 2nd), and Australia has better goal difference than both Jordan and Iraq; OR - Australia-Jordan draw and Japan defeats Iraq, then Iraq defeats Australia and Oman defeats Jordan (Oman finishes 2nd), and Australia has better goal difference than both Jordan and Iraq

"* if goal difference is same, then goals for, then head to head, determines best-placed team

Otherwise Australia can't qualify for 2014 World Cup in Brazil.