If the A League is ever going to expand then it is the clubs of the National Premier Leagues who will be foremost amongst the candidates for inclusion in either the top division or a new second tier league.
In what will hopefully be a refreshing break from the norms of the moment, this column will express no opinion as to whether Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou is due for the chop and, even more refreshingly, will admit it has no clue or qualification to make such a judgment.Â
The Socceroos coach has not changed the script, through good times and bad.
Almost 12 years after Sydney's ANZ Stadium hosted the most joyous night in the Socceroos' history, Football Federation Australian has again chosen the venue to host the key home matches that will determine Australia's participation at next year's World Cup in Russia.
Sydney's ANZ Stadium will host Australia's World Cup second-leg playoff against Syria on October 10.
A global wrap of all the overnight action from World Cup qualifying.
The critics are circling and Ange Postecoglou's future as national team coach is under increasing pressure as former stars line up to call for his head.
Socceroo captain-for-the-night Tim Cahill – who may now not get the chance to achieve his ambition of scoring at four World Cups – was baffled by Australia's failure to score a bag of goals against Thailand.
As Syria's soccer team stepped onto an Iranian pitch late Tuesday to take an unprecedented shot at qualifying for its first World Cup tournament, the supporters who packed cafes across the region could have been forgiven for keeping their hopes in check.
Australia must take a long and winding road if it is to make it to Russia in 2018 after it could only finish third in its Asian World Cup qualifying group, despite a 2-1 victory over Thailand in the final match at AAMI Park.
Australia's worst fears were confirmed in the early hours of Wednesday morning, as a 1-0 win to Saudi Arabia over Japan saw them leapfrog the Socceroos into a direct qualifying spot for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
An emotional Australia coach Ange Postecoglou paid tribute to his team.
The Socceroos dominated Thailand, monopolised possession, shot on sight and tried everything they knew to finish a nervous World Cup qualifying campaign on a high at a packed AAMI Park in Melbourne.
The Socceroos need to beat Thailand to stand any chance of taking the direct route to Russia. They then need to win by as large a score as possible in case Saudi Arabia should beat Japan early the next morning and take the coveted runners up spot in their group.
England had to come from behind to beat Slovakia 2-1 at Wembley on Monday, while Germany thrashed Norway 6-0 in a one-sided World Cup 2018 qualifier, with both teams closing in on a place in Russia.
Teams needing to win games by a certain number of goals to qualify for tournaments, avoid relegation or gain promotion, is nothing new. But sometimes those results are shrouded in controversy, especially if they produce victories with a wide goal margin.
Australia's coach, Ange Postecoglou has joined in the tributes to former Fairfax soccer writer Michael Cockerill, who died from cancer last week, saying he was keenly feeling the loss of a man who was one of his biggest backers.
As the critics circle and fears over Australia's ability to qualify for the World Cup mount, coach Ange Postecoglou remains defiant.
​Belgium qualified for next year's World Cup with two games to spare when they won 2-1 away to Greece.
Socceroos midfielder Jackson Irvine says Australia won't leave anything to chance against Thailand.
There is no margin for error for Australia when it hosts Thailand on Tuesday night at AAMI Park.
A couple of years ago, he couldn't secure a place in the squad Ange Postecoglou chose for the Asian Cup.
Two brilliant strikes from Isco and a late goal from Alvaro Morata gave Spain a 3-0 win over Italy, to move into the driving seat for automatic qualification to the 2018 World Cup.
The Matildas will play Brazil in front of a bumper crowd of about 17,000 people this month after their clash at Penrith was announced as a sellout.
It's crunch time in the battle for a place at next year's World Cup and the Socceroos are battling on at least two fronts.
Before we all panic about Tuesday night and Australia's crucial World Cup qualifier against Thailand, let's stop, take a deep breath and remember.
Disgruntled critics suggest the man who has masterminded the national team for almost four years might now be past his sell by date.
​Wayne Rooney has been charged with drink-driving after he was stopped behind the wheel of a Volks-wagen Beetle near his ??6 million home early yesterday (Friday) morning.
If columns could take the field with a black armband, one would be worn here for the late Mike Cockerill. By way of tribute, all we can do is echo one of that fine man's passionate themes.
If ever there was a moment to seize the day, make a huge statement and defy the odds, it is at hand for the Socceroos.