Riley McGree and Australia are set for a winner-takes-all showdown with Peru in Doha this evening.
The stakes are high as the Socceroos take on their South American opponents (kick-off 7pm UK time), the winner claiming a place at this winter's World Cup, which is also in Qatar.
It's already been a long journey for the Aussies, Graham Arnold's side having come through two Asian confederation qualifying groups and then beaten the United Arab Emirates in an initial play-off six days ago.
Opponents Peru finished fifth in the South America table, and will provide a stern test for McGree and his teammates to claim one of the two remaining spots at the upcoming tournament.
Boro have a strong historical Aussie connection, our former player Peter Wilson captaining the side to their first World Cup in 1974, and Mark Schwarzer and Mark Viduka each playing leading roles in one of their most famous play-off victories against Uruguay ahead of the 2006 tournament.
The Teessiders have had at least one current player representing their nation in the last six World Cup competitions, and McGree will be hoping to extend that run to seven later this year.
Elsewhere this evening, youngster Kamil Conteh could be in action for Sierra Leone against Guinea-Bissau.
The midfielder, who is set to join Boro officially on July 1, started as their AFCON qualification campaign began in creditable fashion with a narrow loss to Nigeria.
The Leone Stars will be hoping to get points on the board in Conakry (kick-off 5pm) later.