A lot of set pieces have allowed the Socceroos to prepare for next week’s World Cup playoffs with a 2-1 win over Jordan in Qatar.
Australia vs Jordan
Equipment
Score
Scorers
Australia
2
Wright 40
Mabil 68
Jordan
1
Al-Taamari 17
Bailey Wright and Awer Mabil scored Australia’s goal after a lightning strike by Musa Al-Taamari shot Jordan in the early hours at Doha’s Al-Janoub Stadium on Wednesday (AEST Thursday).
The win is only Australia’s second in its last eight games and gives Graham Arnold’s team something to build on in the face of Tuesday’s (Wednesday AEST) essential clash with the United Arab Emirates.
Aaron Mooy received his first competitive action since the 2-2 draw with Oman in February in a new look from the 11th, as Martin Boyle, Mitch Duke, Joel King, Mathew Leckie and Adam Taggart were rested .
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Arnold’s team included several A-League players, including Central Coast defender Kye Rowles’ debut and Jason Davidson’s first international appearance since 2015.
With 18 minutes played, Al-Taamari’s Maty Ryan almost extended the lead, but his shot from the left glanced off the top of the bar to fall behind the net.
The Socceroos were lucky to escape more damage later in the first half when Wright caught Jordanian striker Ali Olwan inside the penalty area, but the referee said he was still in the game.
A few seconds later, Wright became a hero for Australia when the Sunderland midfielder headed in Craig Goodwin’s free kick to equalize in the 40th minute.
Mooy, who made his 50th appearance with Australia, almost broke the deadlock early in the second half when his free kick crashed into the post, with Nicholas D’Agostino unable to direct a follow-up effort on goal.
The former Premier League midfielder, who has been reduced to training in Scotland with the Chinese Super League suspended due to the country’s COVID-19 situation, will finally be replaced after a valuable 61 minutes.
Shortly after Mooy’s withdrawal, Australia took the lead.
Jordan goalkeeper Yazid Abu Layla cleverly saved Wright’s header again, this time from a corner, with Mabil able to finish acrobatically after D’Agostino caught the loose ball. at the goal.
Australia will now focus on the match against the United Arab Emirates, with a win in that match setting another playoff against South American Peru in Qatar next week for a place in the World Cup.
AAP
Posted 3 hours 3 hours agoWednesday, June 1, 2022 at 9:10 PM, updated 3 hours ago 3 hours agoWednesday, June 1, 2022 at 9:17 PM