The qualifying tournament for the 1986 FIFA World Cup™ was the first time OFC were allocated given a separate route to the finals from AFC, and consisted of four teams. New Zealand, after qualifying for the 1982 FIFA World Cup™, were joined by Chinese Taipei, Australia, and Israel in the qualifying process.
All four teams played each other in a group stage, with the side finishing top progressing to an intercontinental play-off with a representative from UEFA to qualify for a spot at the FIFA World Cup™ in Mexico.
Two big wins from Israel by a combined scoreline of 11-0 over Chinese Taipei in Ramat Gan gave them the early momentum, and they quickly emerged as contenders for the top spot. Elsewhere, Australia and New Zealand opened with a 1-1 draw in Auckland, which the Kiwis backed up with a 5-1 victory over Chinese Taipei. The decisive match of the qualifying tournament arguably came in just the fifth match, when goals from Dave Mitchell and John Kosmina helped Australia to a vital 2-1 victory away in Ramat Gan over Israel.
The reverse match finished as a 1-1 stalemate in Melbourne, and Australia went on to secure top spot in the standings, finishing unbeaten with two wins over Chinese Taipei and a 2-0 victory over New Zealand in Sydney. Israel finished second behind Australia, after closing out the qualifying tournament with a 3-0 win over New Zealand. The Kiwis finished third with Chinese Taipei in fourth.
Australia progressed to a two-legged home and away intercontinental play-off with Scotland for a place in the finals. They were able to claw back a 0-2 deficit from the first leg at Hampden Park though, conceding twice in the second half to goals from Davie Cooper and Frank McAvennie.
The Socceroos fought hard in the second leg at Olympic Park in Melbourne, but couldn’t find the back of the net in a goalless draw, facing elimination at the final hurdle. John Kosmina and Dave Mitchell finished as Australia’s joint top-scorers through the qualifying campaign with five goals each.
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