The Socceroos defeated UAE 2-1 in an Asian qualifying thriller to be one match away from the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
After a conservative start to the game from both sides which resulted in a scoreless first half, the Socceroos opened up in the second stanza when winger Martin Boyle’s decisive run led to a nice low cross which was poked home by midfielder Jackson Irvine at the near post.
However, UAE levelled the scores within minutes through Caio Canedo, after wingman Harib Abdallah whipped in a cross to find his teammate in prime real estate.
With the game winding down to the last ten minutes, the Socceroos made their own luck in the 84th minute when a corner rebounded to Ajdin Hrustic and he half-volleyed the ball to the six-yard line which deflected into the back of the net.
“That’s how the games go sometimes, you can feel that cagey environment,” Irvine told Ten. “We picked our moments well and when we had moments of quality were capitalised on them, and in games like this it will come down to fine margins.
Australia must now defeat Peru next Tuesday morning (4am AEST), in the UAE for a place in the World Cup.
“We obviously gave away a goal which was disappointing but we knew we had enough in the key moments to win the game and obviously pleased with taking one of them myself.
“It’s a great feeling, but you have that moment of elation when the final whistle goes and then straightaway you are focused, it’s half-time, and it’s a great result which means we can go into the week full of confidence.
“As I say, the job is only half done and we will have a tough preparation week again. Recover, get ready to go again. We have a great squad with a good energy about us and I’m excited for next week already.”
If they can beat the South Americans, the Socceroos will be off to a fifth-straight tournament.
MORE TO COME.
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