Scale of Socceroos’ challenge comes into focus as Turkey complete daunting World Cup group | Jack Snape

Group D which also contains the US and Paraguay has emerged as arguably the tournament’s most difficult pool

The Socceroos’ challenge at the World Cup in North American has crystallised after a dramatic evening of qualifiers in Europe, and it leaves Australia staring at two of world’s best young footballers in their tournament opener.

The fairytale run of Kosovo came to an end in Pristina after Turkey eked out a 1-0 victory to book their place in North America. That means Australia now know their first-up opponents, alongside the United States and Paraguay in Group D – arguably the most difficult of the 12 pools at the tournament.