Australia made a perfect start to their second stage of World Cup qualifying, destroying a poor China 3-0 in Doha to top the group after matchday one with an assured display that belied their difficult buildup.
After a nervy opening 15 minutes it was completely dominant performance from the Socceroos, who scored through Awer Mabil and Martin Boyle before halftime and Mitch Duke 59 seconds after he arrived as a second half substitute.
Celtic’s Tom Rogic, who seems reborn this season under former Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou, had some sublime touches while Ajdin Hrustic commanded the centre of the park. Mabil and Boyle were dangerous throughout, while Trent Sainsbury had some superb moments on the ball from the back.
The winning margin put Australia top of the group after one match and was a ninth straight qualifying win – the second time Australia has managed that feat and first within a WCQ campaign. In the groups other matches, Saudi Arabia came from behind to down Vietnam 3-1 while Japan lost to Oman earlier on Friday.
The top two teams will go through to the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, with the third placed team getting a playoff.
Australia had won all eight matches in their previous stage of qualifying. Their lead up was affected by COVID with star striker Mat Leckie missing out, but it made no difference to the result as the front three of Mabil, Boyle and Adam Taggart created plenty of openings against a ragged defensive line.
China’s main attacking threat, Wu Lei, couldn’t get in the game – the diminutive Espanyol striker given the rag doll treatment by hulking Harry Souttar.
Aaron Mooy returned in the second half and said the team spirit was high after his team had 62 percent possession with 23 shots to seven and nine on target to zero..
“We only had two days together but the team spirit has been built over years,” said Mooy.
“We’re all good mates, it’s nice to be around my people and we share good memories together.
“Australia is having a tough time at the moment with the lockdown – hopefully they watch this and it makes it a tiny bit better. Hopefully we’re doing the country proud.”
Coach Graham Arnold said he was “very proud of the perfomance and there’s a lot more improvement to come.”
“When you bring the Socceroos family back together the mateship is crucial and they were fantastic tonight,” Arnold said.
He said his plan had been to make the most of players in club form, and the key men were impressive.
“What I’ve been doing in the last three weeks is look closely at the roles the boys have played at their clubs and replicating that instead of something different,” said Arnold.
Mabil had five shots on target in the game, which Opta stats reported was the joint most of any player in the Asian WCQ campaign, that’s now in stage two.
He opened the scoring on 24 minutes when he burst through onto a superb Sainsbury pass. Mabil’s first time shot was well saved but Taggart fetched the rebound on the right, swung a ball back across the frame and Mabil was alert to nudge it into the net.
Mabil said he had practiced the movement in training with Sainsbury under Arnold’s direction.
“It was a shame I couldn’t finish it first time when he put that beautiful through ball in but eventually Taggs got the ball put it back in and I just went for it and it hit the back of the net,” Mabil said.
The game was played in an empty stadium but Socceroos’ leading goal scorer Tim Cahill was among the few there to cheer on the team.
“He’s a legend of the game and legend of our country,” Mabil said. “He’s someone who set the standard really high and we’re privileged he can come and watch us tonight and we put on a show for him.
“We’re only just getting started and I’m really excited for what we’re going to do. We’re here to make history.”
Mabil, who plays for Danish cub FC Midtjylland, also set up the third goal when his sharp shot from the left was parried into Duke’s path.
“I can remember back in his Adelaide days and when he first came into the Socceroos, he was very quick but very raw,” said former Socceroo Mark Milligan on the Channel 10 post-game show.
“Everytime I see him play now he seems to have added another aspect to his game and he’s really developed that final action whether it be a shot or that pass.”
Another ex-Socceroo, Alex Brosque, said Arnold has been working hard to help Mabil sharpen his game.
“They really brought him in and he’s learnt a lot of the boys that were there,” said Brosque. “You can see he feels so confident and at home in that jersey.
“He’s done a lot of homework, keeps evolving his game. Arnie has him watching videos of the runs he needs to make and the areas to pick the ball in. Every game he’s getting better.”
Australia play their second match against Vietnam in Hanoi on Tuesday and there is some doubt over Boyle, who came off after being hacked down late in the game. He, worryingly, held his hamstring but walked off the field unassisted.
Socceroos captain Mat Ryan barely had a touch in goal and suggested the only disappointment on a night of great encouragement was “we didn’t convert a couple of more chances.
“That’s an example of the standards we set for ourselves. We’ll enjoy this but we’re a long way from where we want to be in terms of finishing the job.”
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
Why aren't Perth, Adelaide or Brisbane being considered to host the next window's home matches?
Mark
Guest
They weren’t that good last time around either, but we know what happened.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Sweden are a frustrating team for their supporters, really run hot and cold. Running hot at the moment!
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
China, perhaps more than any other side, are under intense pressure to perform. The Communist Party's nationalistic drive has resulted in huge public pressure on footballers to perform. Unrealistic expectations, coupled with high domestic player wages, results in public outrage at what they perceive to be underperformance. The result is a Chinese national side that is unable to play with freedom and lacks confidence. This may well be the main reason Li Tei picked such an old squad. Other teams know this, so they go hard at China early to score an early goal and then watch the side mentally buckle. It's been happening for decades and steadily getting worse. The imminent collapse of the Evergrande business group will be another blow to the Chinese football pyramid, and possibly a welcome one. The money in Chinese football was driven by a need to be seen to invest in Communist Party projects, risk management. The problem is that this has driven expectations and discouraged footballers from going overseas and learning from the experience. China could do with less money in the top tier. I wrote about this on The Roar several years ago. Sadly I appeared to be right on the money with my observations https://www.theroar.com.au/2015/12/03/china-syndrome-why-its-better-to-be-great-than-rich/
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The Chinese league has a party boy culture, there are limited players in China and heaps of teams, so they now they can indulge themselves and the clubs have no choice but to keep them around. Its like the NRL and AFL. The downside for China is their national team standard has fallen because of this whereas the NRL and AFL while the standard is going down their isnt anyone to compare them, and even better they have the Australian media to constantly talk them up . Notice players go to China and their career goes downhill. Well the first thing you should do for a player is advise them not to go to China. Milligan could have played in the premier league if he didnt go to China.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Yes, it is curious just how poor China are in this sport. And yes, Vietnam are always tough.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
And I see that you already said that. This really is a drunken conversation. :silly:
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Plus Oman have three unexpected points. Another potential contender for third.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I actually see it as a concern for Australia. It would be better to play Japan when they're running safe and may experiment/rest players, etc
Janakan
Guest
We looked great. Some of the fresh players in the squad really add something. Let’s hope for another big win Tuesday. Japan losing to Oman is huge too
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Well I have a beer in my hand now so perhaps it is an appropriate time to respond :happy: In the context of the group it is more about Oman moving into contention for 3rd position; less about Japan who are still firm favourites for direct entry.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Karacic should be fit by the Oman game. Grant appears stronger than Karacic, however Karacic is lighter on his feet and I'd say a better match for a zippy player like Fawaz.
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
Can't recall which game it was, but I remember us barely scraping through against Thailand at home, and then seeing Robbie Kruse going up to a bloke he thought was his old Victory teammate and saying "how did you get so fast!" Only to find out it was his younger brother. That to me just personified the lack of respect we've had for SE Asian teams in the past (and without any justification on paper either!)..
Nick Symonds
Guest
"All football supporters need to support this station because we finally have a media partner that’s treating our sport with the respect it deserves." - Many fans wear shirts with the names of their favourite players on the back, but maybe there needs to be a Channel 10 shirt. That would be a way to really show your support for the station.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Channel 10 just ran a comprehensive sport report on their news that included a great summary of last night's game, a bit on Japan losing to Oman and a great report on the expansion of the W League including an interview with Danny Townsend. All football supporters need to support this station because we finally have a media partner that's treating our sport with the respect it deserves.
Nick Symonds
Guest
They might have to do a merger to stay afloat. Imagine if they merge with the Chinese group behind the Southern Expansion bid. They could form a new super club combining Southern Sydney with the NSW South Coast combined with Western Victoria and even Hobart and Launceston in Tasmania. A super club representing a catchment area of over 2.5 million people across 3 states and 8 stadiums. St. George-Sutherland-Wollongong-Western Melbourne-Geelong-Ballarat-Tasmania United Just one problem. Trying to link SGSWWMGBTU into a badge with interlocking letters like the one that Wanderers have would look like a mess.
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't get too excited. Japan have a habit of starting slowly it seems. They lost their first game at home to UAE at this stage last world cup. In fact Saudi Arabia lost to Iraq early last qualifiers too. We just need to focus on securing 3 points against each of the "smaller" teams - which we failed to do last time around - and that should go a long way to getting us there.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Yes & I wouldn't give up on Luongo as well, our central midfield creative players, we don't ever create to many of these type of players & now we have 3-4 players, yes they cannot all play together, but it gives us depth, players that give you that extra something, some of the balls by Rogic today were sublime. They will also push each other to perform better to stay in team.
Punter
Roar Rookie
This is Arnie, he talks big & backs himself, sometimes he falls flat, but I do like the attitude, he gives his players a lot of confidence.
Grem
Roar Rookie
And I quite like league but The Roosters smashed The Raiders - so what! The Socceroos beat China in a World Cup Qualifier - that should be lead with gold medals at The Paralympics and Ash Barry in a world event as well.