Win, lose, or draw, the Socceroos' fate in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers is set.
But that's not the case for the team's beleaguered coach, Graham Arnold.
The Socceroos play Saudi Arabia in Jeddah early on Wednesday morning knowing they will finish third in their qualifying group behind the Saudis and Australia's conquerors last Thursday, Japan
Their journey to Qatar will now follow the more circuitous route, firstly against the third-placed team in the other Asian group – likely Iraq or the United Arab Emirates – and then, if they win, the Socceroos will play another sudden death match against the fifth-placed South American side.
However, Graham Arnold's position as head coach is not so certain, despite being contracted until the end of the year.
Football Australia is canvassing options about how to approach the sudden-death matches, including sticking with Arnold or sacking him and installing a new coach.
The head body understands the difficulty Arnold has faced over the past few months as COVID and injury have wreaked havoc with his preparations and squad selection.
But he didn't do himself any favours by breaching his COVID isolation order last week to go for a walk along the beach. Football Australia bosses were incensed and fined him $25,000, which he donated to a flood relief charity.