Goals from Awer Mabil, Martin Boyle and Mitch Duke gave the Socceroos a record 11th straight win as they joined Saudi Arabia atop their World Cup qualifying group on Friday.
The Socceroos beat Oman 3-1, overcoming some difficult moments to go to nine points from three games in this group stage and become the first ever country to win 11 consecutive games in a single World Cup campaign.
“It’s something we’ll reflect on in the future what a great feat it is, especially playing 10 out of 11 away from home, but for me it’s about going to Japan now and making it 12 in a row,” said Socceroos coach Graham Arnold.
The Saudis beat Japan 1-0 earlier Friday, leaving them on nine points, with Japan, who Australia face on Tuesday, on three points. Also on three are Oman and China, a 3-2 winner over Vietnam, bottom of the table with zero points, on Friday. Australia is in first on goal difference.
Australia were off to a flyer as Mabil took a composed touch on the left before smashing his shot past a slow to react goalkeeper Faiyz Al Rashidi.
Mabil celebrated by putting the ball under his shirt and sucking his thumb, a tribute to his cousin who is expecting a child on Friday.
The keeper did much better soon after to prevent the Socceroos going two goals up as he got his fingertips to a stinging drive from Celtic’s Tom Rogic, making his 50th appearance for his country.
But after looking like they might run away with it, the Socceroos lost their way with some loose football exposed by their busy and tenacious opponent.
Mat Ryan was tested three times before he was well beaten for the Oman equaliser. Rabia Alawi Al Mandhar found space in the area as the defenders failed to close him down and after an excellent shift of weight drove home past Ryan.
Although the game was all square at halftime, momentum shifted towards Australia thanks to two significant Oman injuries.
Jackson Irvine went through Oman’s playmaker Zahir Al Aghbari and he was forced from the field with a shoulder injury on 35 minutes. Then just before the break Oman’s scorer went down lame and although he battled on into the second half he’d lost his zip.
Australia began the second half as they had the first, grabbing a goal just four minutes after the break through Boyle. Boyle, who is equal top scorer in the Scottish Premier League this season with Hibernian, scored his fifth goal in nine internationals.
Adam Taggart’s goal bound strike was blocked and the ball popped up for Boyle to dive in bravely ahead of a defender’s foot to nod home.
“I don’t remember a lot about it,” said Boyle afterwards. “I was flying through the air, thought he was going to take my head off with his boot, but you’ve got to be brave,” Boyle said.
Former Socceroo Alex Brosque was full of praise for the Scottish raised Boyle.
“He’s so important for us and showed it again with a gaol right when we needed it,” said Brosque. “It calmed the boys straight down. His energy, his all rund work rate and constant pressure on defence is what we need.”
Boyle, who missed the win over Vietnam through injury, thought he’d won a penalty six minutes later when he was pushed in the back in the area. VAR upeld the referee’s decision to wave play on despite clear evidence of a push – although perhaps Boyle went to ground a little too easily.
Former Socceroo Mark Milligan told 10 that if “that’s a penalty, I wouldn’t have had a career.”
A third was welcome as Oman pushed to the finish. A lack of composure at key moments cost them as the Socceroos defence held on through a nervy last half hour before substitute Duke sealed the deal in the 88th minute.
“It’s been a workman like, par performance,” said Andy Harper on the 10 coverage. “It hasn’t been a sparkling performance by the Socceroos, nor has it been a poor one.”
The Socceroos dominated the ball with 58 percent possession and 16 shots to 10, with eight on target.
“We got dragged into an erratic game but once we got the boys in at half and settled down we concentrated more on keeping the ball and making them chase it,” said Arnold.
“Dukey comes on and brings so much energy, Awer is going up higher and higher in his level every time he plays for us and and Boyley’s a poacher.”
The Socceroos face Japan on Tuesday night in Saitama in the next stage of a fierce rivalry. A 12th win could go a long way to ending Japan’s realistic prospects of automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Australia hasn’t beaten Japan in their last seven matches, stretching back to 2009.
stu
Guest
George....ok...I will take that is a subjective comment. Can't see it but I am being subjective as well.
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
Stu - Or maybe it's because Australia play a better brand of football.
stu
Guest
The most direct player and goal scorer does play for Hibs. And arguably the SPL has been one of the greater supplier of players over more recent years.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Although there would rarely be more than a few most times (and currently, a couple are with Celtic, and they are no slouches).
stu
Guest
In other words it is easier to get through Asia than Europe. I must admit I do have a chuckle when the Socceroos rely on players from that terrible SPL (current and recent past).
chris
Guest
So you mean like every coach on Earth, Arnie picks players he likes? Interesting, AA there are commenters on here (you included) who dissect EVERY SINGLE action that a coach may take. Whether its Arnie with the national team or a club coach in the A-League. It gets tiresome and boring. Everyone has an opinion but most choose to keep their opinions to themselves for the most part. The occasional observation is fine. But every, single, selection scrutinised to the point of nauseam gets a bit much.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I wonder why they struggled with Kruse at wing back, back three with Degenek and Bailey Wright. The amount of chances the opposition had back then was easily double the worst recently. Ange had access to Grant when he was younger, faster, massive engine and a much better defender but didnt use him. Arnie has profited from having Grant there. Brosque the Australian player that most suits Ange style as well never picked. Ange did he have a case of Sydney syndrome.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Matt Ryan saved the teams bacon and you leave him out. Makes no sense. Souttar out I would agree, Bailey Wright is slow and league 1 would not have him in the squad. Leaving out Taggart that would have a positive effect, did only one good thing in the whole match, and he is lazy. Behich good idea to move him to wing is equally capable as a winger, but Elder doesn't offer much in attack the replacement. Dougall much better on the ball than Irvine, Irvine turned over the ball a lot, but on the other hand less speed in cover , with hrustic and Rogic there and then Mooy it could be a bit iffy. Karacic and Grant are both good options at right back, Grant his fitness is always top notch regardless whether its the first pre season match, did get forward a lot and presure the opposition high, dont know about Karacic fitness. Grant is getting on a bit, not as strong defensively as he used to be, Karacic hasn;t had to face any really tricky opposition so far so dont know.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Except Dukes plural the one time he did it well in world cup qualifiers he had Vidmar on the end of it and he didnt have the fitness to be still in the game when they brought on extra strikers, He did a good job in this regard in a friendly with Jamaica, Confederations cup with Aloisi . Australia would have been much better off with someone else on the field, usually Aloisi.
Mitcher
Guest
That’s not in fact, a fact. Fact!
Punter
Roar Rookie
This was Dukes as In Mark Viduka.
Punter
Roar Rookie
It's what Dukes did without scoring he brought other players into play. He was easily our best no 9.
jupiter53
Roar Pro
Some theoretical physicists say that there are infinite parallel universes. So there is inevitably one where you are named today as Socceroos coach, and the team you have selected takes the field against Japan. It is such a shame that we have no access to that universe - would love to see how your men perform!
GWSingapore
Roar Rookie
Mile Jedinak should have been awarded high 2018 Australian day Honors after he scored those three goals against Honduras in 2017 that put Australia into The World Cup. That was a very significant international achievement that deserved much greater publicity.
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
The lack of draws is becoming concerning again, means the numbers will be up around 20 mark again to ensure avoidance of round 3.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
ohh thats tricky, bear in mind this is with the current squad selected (not my overall pick when everybody is available) for the japan match in particular Thomas Karcic Sainsbury Wright Elder Dougall Hrustic Rogic Boyle Mabil Behich i am selecting players who are playing regularily this season and also because we need to see if others can step up. im lining up in an attacking 4-3-3 false 9 formation in offence karacic and elder push into midfield giving us 4 in there, dougall drops back in between sainsbury and wright to create a 3 man defence dougall is my midfielder sitter regardles, thats all i want him doing; sitting lol rogic and hrustic will be the 2 ball carriers and tasked with defence splitting passes. mabil and behich will be on the shoulder of the last defender the whole match, while boyle will be the "false 9' - he has a good eye for goal and generally takes up good positions. my line up is super attacking and means we'll keep the ball on the ground
GWSingapore
Roar Rookie
Particularly liked the second half comeback after a scrappy middle patch by the Australians. Graham Arnold seems to becoming into his own as a coach. Great to see.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Viduka hardly scored , he had a double against Solomon islands as his only world cup qualifying goals. Duke has already passed him. Kosmina scored quite a few goals against touring club sides not counted but Thompsons 13 against American Samoa were. Cahill he had the heading ability of the best 9's, handy poacher as well, not a bad shooter from distance either. A 2nd striker is usually a player with more pace. Kennedy and Aloisi next best.
sportstar111
Roar Rookie
Hi Andy - can you name your ideal squad and starting XI in the circumstances? So excluding injured/unfit players like Strain, Degenek and Smith and players like Leckie and JMac who are unwilling to travel.
Punter
Roar Rookie
We as a nation don't produce too many strikers not called Viduka. Cahill was more a 2nd striker. Alosi was good for Australia but he was a journeyman Archie was a winger. Arnold, Kossie, Mitchell all elbows & plodders.