Socceroos

It's the Socceroos' biggest match in almost five years with a place in the final play-off match against Peru on the line when they face the United Arab ...

A stroke of luck but a hint of fortune that favoured the brave. However, he’s still on the bench and yet to be used by coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena. Khalied Eisa has made a brilliant save against Jamie Maclaren. Another crafty build-up erodes UAE’s defence, paving room for Maclaren to fire from an acute angle inside the box. Full-time and Australia’s hopes of reaching the 2022 World Cup in Qatar remain firmly alive. “I see a tear in his eye, it means everything.” We go into the week full of confidence but the job is only half done.”

It's the Socceroos' biggest match in almost five years with a place in the final play-off match against Peru on the line when they face the United Arab ...

No real fluency or creativity, the match is crying out for one player - could it be Aaron Mooy or Ajdin Hrustic - to step on the ball and take control? A cross from the left was missed by centre-back Kye Rowles, bouncing off Irvine behind him and falling to the feet of Caio to hammer home from close range. Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan has pulled-off another superb save and who else but Harib Suhail Al-Maazmi to cause the problem. Completely against the run of play, Jackson Irvine has put the Socceroos ahead. The winger connected with a ball from Jackson Irvine but somehow puts his shot into the stands, rather than back of the net from close range. Australia’s lead lasted just three minutes with the UAE drawing level through Brazilian-born forward Caio Canedo. Cruelly, it was goalscorer Jackson Irvine who layed it on a platter.

The Socceroos are now just one win away from qualifying for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, after beating the UAE 2-1 in a gripping Asian qualifying playoff on ...

Maclaren struggled to control the difficult ball, and a defender’s diving lunge poked it into Boyle, the ball rebounding out for a goal kick. Boyle was growing in influence, and just before the 70th minute he won a corner after another mazy run past the defence. But it was Hrustic, having been atypically quiet throughout the match, who turned the tide of the game. Boyle - having had almost no opportunities to run at defenders in the opening half - grabbed the moment with both hands, beating a defender to the byline and fizzing a low cut-back to the six yard box. It bounced off Irvine on the edge of the six-yard box, and Caio slammed the ball into the roof of the net. Martin Boyle showed flashes of danger when he whipped in a low cross in the opening five minutes, and he found Jackson Irvine 15 minutes later with a floated cross, though the midfielder’s header sailed wide. Harib Abdalla - to that point the most influential player of the match - again found the ball deep on the left flank. Midfielder Ajdin Hrustic, fresh off a Europa League title with his Eintracht Frankfurt, restored the advantage in the 84th minute when a corner rebounded to him on the edge of the area. Winning the ball high up the pitch, winger Martin Boyle danced and weaved past a defender and whipped in a low cross for midfielder Jackson Irvine to poke home at the near post. Matty made a few good saves at the near post but I thought we were really good and we took the chances when they came.” 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. It found left-winger Craig Goodwin at the back post, but the Adelaide United star contrived to miss the golden opportunity from close range.

Australia will play Peru next week for a place in the World Cup after a nerve-racking 2-1 win over the UAE on Wednesday morning.

Ali Mabkhout started to emerge as more of a presence in the front third but Australia had the best chance of the half, only for an unmarked Kye Rowles to mistime his header. Got to take a chance when it presents because it doesn’t feel like there‘ll be too many. One of the best in @Socceroos history given what’s on the line. Thunderbolt on the volley from Hrustic and deflection. Both teams battling to carve out a meaningful attacking ball. Australia continued to press forward and its sustained pressure finally paid off in the 83rd minute. Can’t afford a defensive error. So many passes overhit.— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) Football presenter and reporter Michelle Escobar tweeted: “Both teams are so cautious and it’s making for a dire game. Harib Abdalla Suhail, the UAE’s most potent attacking weapon all match, again caused havoc down the left, skinning Bailey Wright and whipping in a cross. So painful to watch.” Seven minutes into the second half Australia drew first blood.

GET IN!!!! Ajdin Hrustic has put the Socceroos back in front with just six minutes remaining. A stroke of luck but a hint of fortune that favoured the brave ...

A cross from the left was missed by centre-back Kye Rowles, bouncing off Irvine behind him and falling to the feet of Caio to hammer home from close range. The winger connected with a ball from Jackson Irvine but somehow puts his shot into the stands, rather than back of the net from close range. A stroke of luck but a hint of fortune that favoured the brave.

The Socceroos have set up a winner-takes-all match-up against Peru after defeating the UAE 2-1 at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha to progress in FIFA ...

Maclaren was in the action yet again with ten minutes to go. The resulting corner provided Australia with the match winning goal. Boyle broke down right and surged towards the line before fizzing a cross to Jackson Irvine, who neatly tucked the ball past the keeper with his right foot. Irvine swung in a peach of a cross from the right to find Goodwin lurking at the back post but the Adelaide United man fired his volley just wide. Abdalla got in behind Atkinson again and drove towards the six-yard box to force a smart save from Ryan at his near post. The first 30 minutes played out in the manner you would expect for a match with so much on the line.

The Socceroos' World Cup qualifying dream remains alive after a 2-1 playoff win over the United Arab Emirates in Doha.

Abdalla was the provider with a dangerous cross that the Socceroos failed to clear. Australia’s second-half performance was a vast improvement from their first-half effort, with the Socceroos creating next to nothing in the opening stanza. The Socceroos are one win away from qualifying for this year’s World Cup after beating the UAE in Doha.

An Ajdin Hrustic thunderbolt six minutes from time gave Australia a 2-1 win over the UAE to put them into the final World Cup qualifier against Peru next ...

Jackson Irvine timed his run to perfection, stole in and was able to slot home from close range to put the Socceroos in front. Aaron Mooy looked comfortable on the ball despite his lack of game time this year, as did Ajdin Hrustic, but neither man was able to get his foot on the ball and take command of a game crying out for someone to stamp his authority on proceedings in a first half that produced only four shots on goal. Neither side would have wanted the drama of extra time or penalties, so the onus was on one to produce a winner. Hrustic then tried his luck with a good curling shot from the right. But the joy was short-lived, three or so minutes in fact, as the UAE hit back strongly. In a game where chances were at a premium, this was profligate. Jackson Irvine came in as an attacking midfielder with Riley McGree on the bench. “I thought there was a lot less space for the opposition tonight. Twice he managed to produce shots from tight angles, but Mat Ryan stood tall to block. The environment in this preparation has been much, much better.” We conceded a goal we shouldn’t have, with our quality we were a bit sloppy there. We will improve even more for the next game.