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 week.
A left-footed thunderbolt from Socceroo midfielder Ajdin Hrustic in the dying minutes of the game gave Australia a 2-1 win over the UAE to propel Graham Arnold’s team to within 90 minutes of the World Cup.
The shot took a deflection on the way in but no one in a yellow shirt on the pitch, in the stands or in lounge rooms around Australia cared a whit. “We knew they would sit back and we didn’t want to play a game where we opened the field too much. We stayed compact the whole game. We will improve even more for the next game.
Arnold said: “It means a lot. We conceded a goal we shouldn’t have, with our quality we were a bit sloppy there. We never dropped our heads. I told the boys on the line let’s go and let’s do it. We started to control the game even more. The second goal was well deserved from us.”Credit:Arnold attracts a lot of criticism in Australia but captain Mat Ryan praised the impact the coach had had in the build-up to these games.
Jackson Irvine came in as an attacking midfielder with Riley McGree on the bench. Martin Boyle was selected on the right flank while Craig Goodwin kept his spot on the left wing.With the stakes so high it is perhaps understandable that both teams went into this game focused more on avoiding defeat than winning, at least early on.
Atkinson pushed forward into a dangerous area and when the ball fell to Boyle he pivoted and spun past his opponents, drove to the byline and slotted a low cross to the near post. Jackson Irvine timed his run to perfection, stole in and was able to slot home from close range to put the Socceroos in front.But the joy was short-lived, three or so minutes in fact, as the UAE hit back strongly. It was danger man Harib Abdulla Al Maazmi who caused problems once more.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Socceroos must decide their own destiny in must-win World Cup qualifierAustralia are used to doing men's World Cups the hard way. But after a rapid decline in results this year, their play-off games against the UAE and possibly Peru will determine whether they're destined for fame or being forgotten.
Read more »
Live: Socceroos face UAE in do-or-die World Cup qualifierGraham Arnold's side has the historical edge, but will the UAE stop the Socceroos from qualifying for their fifth-straight World Cup? Follow live.
Read more »
FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying LIVE updates: Socceroos v UAEIt’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 Emirates in Doha.
Read more »
FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying LIVE updates: Socceroos v UAEIt’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 Emirates in Doha.
Read more »
FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying LIVE updates: Late Hrustic winner keeps Socceroos hopes aliveIt’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 Emirates in Doha.
Read more »
Socceroos stay alive as Ajdin Hrustic fires late winner in World Cup playoff win over UAEGoals from Jackson Irvine and Ajdin Hrustic have fired the Socceroos to a 2-1 win in their World Cup play-off against the UAE in Qatar
Read more »