Striker Arzani is due for further investigations and a review with a knee specialist in Europe early next week, which will determine the full extent of his injury and the prognosis moving forward.

Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold said: “We have great confidence in the staff at Celtic FC to manage Daniel’s injury appropriately. FFA’s performance team will continue to liaise closely with Celtic and Daniel to provide Daniel with whatever assistance he requires.”

Swede Eriksson will work alongside Scott Cooper, who handled the Azkals in their previous two matches. Eriksson and Cooper worked together at English club Leicester City in 2010-2011.

Azkals manager Dan Palami told Philippines media that Eriksson, who managed England in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, has signed a six-month contract with the PFF.

Australia’s 4-0 win over Kuwait during the international break pushed the Socceroos one position up to 42nd, while Japan were the Continent’s best movers, moving four spots up to 50th, courtesy of their wins against Panama and Uruguay earlier this month.

Korea Republic, who also beat Uruguay and drew against Panama, improved by two positions to 53rd, followed by Saudi Arabia who dropped a spot to 72nd to complete Asia’s top five teams.

The top five, along with 19 other teams from across the Continent, will meet in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 from January 5 to February 1.

Asia’s Top 10 Iran (30th)
Australia (42nd)
Japan (50th)
Korea Republic (53rd)
Saudi Arabia (72nd)
Syria (74th)
China PR (75th)
United Arab Emirates (81st)
Lebanon (82nd)
Oman (84th)

The Green Falcons salvaged a 1-1 draw with Iraq on Tuesday, thanks to Abdulaziz Al-Bishi's strike in added time after Muhanad Ali had put the visitors ahead - against the run of play - after 71 minutes.

Saudi Arabia head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi said the result was caused by his team making mistakes.

“We did not meet the level we have set for ourselves (against Iraq),” Pizzi said. “We were not at the level that we saw against Brazil. Iraq played well in defence and were well-organised. Iraq also took advantage of our mistakes during the game,” the Chilean told local media.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh gave Iran the lead in the 17th minute and Mehdi Torabi cancelled out Rudy Cardozo's equaliser in the 51st with his strike in the 63rd as the Central Asians look towards a fourth AFC Asian Cup title in the United Arab Emirates on January 5-February 1.

The 3-0 win over Panama last Friday was followed by a hugely impressive 4-3 defeat of World Number 5 Uruguay on Tuesday as Japan's preparations for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 continued smoothly.

Tuesday's victory in Saitama was the third in three matches under new boss Moriyasu and the first combining established players from the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia with newer members who have quickly made their mark on the international stage.

Presented with the opportunity to bounce back from a confidence-shattering draw with India, China PR overwhelmed Syria.

They flew at the visitors from the first whistle, ending a 305-minute goal drought when Gao Lin's goal sparked wild celebrations as the Chinese supporters lapped up on the their team's fluid footwork and attack prowess.

For the 32-year-old Gao Lin, it was his first international goal from open play in 1,570 days. He had not scored for China PR since a friendly against Mali in June 2014 but his performance on the night was a fine riposte to his critics.