also there are 48 spots now in the finals so shouldn't be that hard. In 1994 they only had 24 spotsI have grown up basically seeing Australia qualify for every world cup i have seen in my lifetime.
2002 i wasn't quite into it then or old enough.
So i think my generation probably don't appreciate and take it for granted how hard it is to make a world cup. Compared to those who went through the 80s & 90s and we never got there.
It's more just accepted now we should be making it. It may be a rude shock and crisis if we don't actually make a world cup in future years.
It was a strong campaign - 1 loss and avoiding the playoff with the automatic qualify.
Saudi Arabia are no slouches either especially on the road.
even Oceania get a direct entry now - with second place getting a play of chance