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WATCH: Yengi gets the business done
That’s how it’s done.Credit: Getty Images
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That will set the tone
After three consecutive slow starts in Popovic’s three games in charge so far, that goal marks a welcome change. But it also means, pretty much straight away, that the Socceroos will be under the kosh defensively. Bahrain absolutely need to win this game as much as Australia does. At least now they’ve got something to defend…
Bahrain 0-1 Australia, 5 minutes
We’re off – AND THE SOCCEROOS SCORE!
The Socceroos have kicked off in their navy blue away kit. Strap yourselves in.
OH WAIT.
WOW.
Goal for Kusini Yengi. Already. After 38 seconds!
What a dream start for the Socceroos!
He chases down a bad backpass to the goalkeeper from Bahrain, steals the ball and taps it into an empty net.
Sensational.
Anthem time
The teams are out there, the joyful strains of ‘Advance Australia Fair’ are joyfully straining right now as I type this, and so we’ll have some football to discuss in just a few minutes’ time.
Defence against the dark arts: Socceroos brace for more Bahraini antics
You can almost set your watch to it. And the Socceroos can only hope the referee does too, and account for it via added time.
The Socceroos know exactly what to expect in their World Cup qualifying clash with Bahrain on Wednesday morning (AEDT) in Riffa. The problem is that they knew what to expect the last time they met, two months ago on the Gold Coast, in the shocking 1-0 defeat that ultimately set the table for Graham Arnold’s decision to step down as head coach of the national team. And they still got sucked in by their time-wasting antics.
Harry Souttar exchanges words with Bahrain players last September.Credit: Getty Images
“It still stings a lot,” said defender Harry Souttar, who conceded the own goal in the 89th minute that sealed just the second defeat for Australia in a live World Cup qualifier on home soil since 1981.
“After, we could hear them celebrating, and that probably annoyed us the most. We absolutely owe them a performance.”
Read the full story here.
In other results… Indonesia 2-0 Saudi Arabia!?!?
The shocks continue. In the match which began late last night, Indonesia produced a stunning 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Jakarta, with two goals from Marselino Ferdinan securing arguably their finest victory in their footballing history. It’s really that big.
Now Group C looks like this:
- 1st: Japan, P6 W5 D1 L0, 16 pts, GD +20
- 2nd: Australia, P5 W1 D3 L1, 6 pts, GD +1
- 3rd: Indonesia, P6 W1 D3 L2, 6 pts, GD -3
- 4th: Saudi Arabia, P6 W1 D3 L2, 6 pts, GD -3
- 5th: China, P6 W2 D0 L4, 6 pts, GD -10
- 6th: Bahrain, P5 W1 D2 L2, 5 pts, GD -5
Just one point separates second from bottom. This is a huge opportunity for the Socceroos to take pole position.
Popovic makes six changes!
So here’s how the Socceroos will line up. Once again, Tony Popovic has shown he is unafraid to make changes or to blood young or inexperienced players if he thinks it’s the right thing to do:
There are surprises from front to back, here.
Captain Maty Ryan is back in goals, replacing Joe Gauci for his first cap under Tony Popovic. Hayden Matthews, the 20-year-old Sydney FC defender, will start instead of Jason Geria. His teammate Anthony Caceres gets the nod in midfield over Aiden O’Neill. Aziz Behich replaces Jordy Bos out wide on the left. Craig Goodwin returns from suspension and comes in for Ajdin Hrustic in one of the inverted winger roles. And up front, it’s Kusini Yengi who is at striker, with Mitch Duke squeezed onto the bench.
Huge, huge calls. And suddenly that bench is looking very strong.
