Australia
4
Match Complete
Vietnam
0
| R. McGree |  | 76' | ||
| C. Goodwin | | 72' | ||
| T. Rogic | | 47' | ||
| M. Leckie |  | 45' | ||
| 34' | | V. D. Phan | ||
| J. Maclaren | | 30' | ||
| 24' | | X. M. Pham |
| 16 | Shots | 8 | ||
| 7 | On Target | 2 | ||
| 5 | Fouls | 7 | ||
| 6 | Corners | 5 | ||
| 3 | Offsides | 2 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
The Socceroos face Vietnam in a must win World Cup Qualifier in Melbourne. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8:10pm AEDT.
After a promising start to a qualification campaign that hopefully leads to Qatar 2022, the Socceroo’s momentum has been well and truly halted after draws with Saudi Arabia and China.
Anything less than a win tonight against the plucky Vietnam could well see the wheels fall of completely and a inter-confederation play-off once again deciding the fate of a team that always seems to find a way to make things difficult.
Such is the nature of the most competitive sport on the planet and within Asia, whilst oft perceived as a powerhouse, the Australian’s continue to battle through the qualification phases as each World Cup year rolls around.
Graham Arnold will not be on the sideline for this match after a recent COVID positive diagnosis and with a win non-negotiable, it will be up to the players to ensure that his message and key directives are undertaken perfectly, without their inspirational mentor there to guide them every step of the way.
With a similarly crucial fixture upcoming against Oman and two potentially massive match-ups with Saudi Arabia and Japan in March, the Aussies need a win tonight to keep meaning in those matches.
A loss will see the Samurai Blue and Green Falcons effectively on their way to Qatar and the Socceroos attempting to hang on to third place in the group in order to set up a last chance effort against good quality South American opposition for the final spot at the World Cup.
It is truly nail-biting stuff from here on in and it all starts tonight in Melbourne.
Prediction
Whilst unconvincing in recent matches, the Socceroos do finally enjoy some home ground support and that could well make the difference in a match potentially played between the boxes for much of the first half. Expect the Aussies to make inroads in the second and manage a 1-0 win, much to the relief of the home fans.
Game information
Game information
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 8:10pm AEDT
Broadcast: Channel 10
Live stream: 10 Play app and website
Betting: China $9.40, Australia $1.31 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Australia
Aziz Behich, Brandon Borello, Martin Boyle, Milos Degenek, Mitchell Duke, Craig Goodwin, Rhyan Grant, Adjin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, James Jeggo, Fran Karacic, Joel King, Mathew Leckie, Jamie Maclaren, Ryan McGowan, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Aaron Mooy, Andrew Redmayne, Mathew Ryan, Tom Rogic, Kye Rowles, Trent Sainsbury, Marco Tilio, Danny Vukovic
Vietnam
Bùi Tấn Trường, Nguyễn Văn Toản, Đặng Văn Lâm, Bùi Hoàng Việt Anh, Quế Ngọc Hải (c), Bùi Tiến Dũng, Nguyễn Thanh Bình, Hồ Tấn Tài, Nguyễn Thành Chung, Vũ Văn Thanh, Trần Văn Kiên, Lương Xuân Trường (vc), Nguyễn Phong Hồng Duy, Nguyễn Trọng Hoàng, Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, Nguyễn, Hoàng Đức, Phạm Đức Huy (vc), Nguyễn Quang Hải, Phan Văn Đức, Nguyễn Văn Toàn, Phạm Tuấn Hải, Hà Đức Chinh, Nguyễn Tiến Linh
Sunshine Tiger
Roar Rookie
How world class are they today Stuart after the Oman game, I notice that yourself , Mike Tuckerman and Andy Harper are strangely quiet? Maybe your too busy removing knives from the back of Tony Gustafson to have noticed the result of the Oman game, strangely quiet from the three of you. Oh that’s right Graham is one of our own and Tony us a foreigner
Redcap
Roar Guru
Eres tu Fernando?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
No problems Nathan.
Nathan Cirson
Roar Pro
Thanks for the live blog Stuart!
Grem
Roar Rookie
2 young Sydney boys in that team - can't be disputed. We produce Socceroos.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The Socceroos have beaten Vietnam by four goal to nil in what was a professional yet not outstanding performance at AAMI Park in Melbourne. With everything on the line, the Socceroos needed to produce a solid effort to set themselves up for a trip to Doha next week and another successful claiming of the points against Oman. Vietnam loomed as a tricky proposition, despite their failure to earn a point in the third stage of qualifying and the Australians knew that goals would be of the highest value in a match they simply had to win. It took some time and a few unlucky moments, yet the goals did eventually come. After 30 minutes, Jamie Maclaren headed home from close range and on the cusp of half-time Tom Rogic doubled the lead and the result seemed assured as early as the break. However, Vietnam were to respond in the opening minutes of the second half with better control in the midfield and fresh legs that had the Socceroos under immense pressure. The Australians were to survive and when their own substitutions came on to the pitch, the momentum shifted back in favour of the home side. Craig Goodwin and Riley McGree added goals to the tally and both showed the reasons why many have called for their more regular inclusions in Socceroo teams. It was far from a brilliant performance, yet a solid and professional one that did the job under some trying circumstances. Joel King and Fran Karacic were superb in defence and Graham Arnold will have plenty to think about as he decides how to set up that area of the field against Oman next week. There are still major tests ahead for the Socceroos, yet a good win tonight has them buoyed and ready to tackle the final three matches of qualifying and potentially earn an automatic qualification spot for Qatar 2022. Final Score Australia………4 Vietnam..……..0
Redondo
Roar Rookie
yo sería una mejor opción - even on my zimmer frame
Aiden
Guest
He is painfully slow. Doesn’t spark anything anymore, can’t take on anyone one on one. Gets caught with the ball making his endless back passes.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
1 had to leave to further his career, the other only got and kept his spot in the sydney team because the previous incumbent :silly: has been injured for the better part of 2 years
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Yup. Surely he never gets to pull the shirt on again?
Redcap
Roar Guru
My kingdom for a Fernando Redondo. :happy:
Tigertown
Guest
Go you good thing! Cheers, Stu.
Grem
Roar Rookie
True - still some tidying up to do in defence and attack.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Australia totally lost control of the game for a large chunk of the 2nd half. Mooy was so obviously the weak link - static in attack and slow slow slow in defence.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Thanks Stuart.
Guppy
Guest
Cheers Stu
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Solid performance but we remain flaky down back. Won't be good enough against better oppo.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the match. The match report will follow in 7 minutes and be sure to tune on next week when the Socceroos face Oman in what is an equally important World Cup qualifying fixture. Australia……...4 Vietnam..……..0
pete4
Roar Rookie
You feel the Socceroos and Matildas have a separate fan bases which may not necessarily follow the Aleagues :crying:
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Looking at how easy Vietnam carved us up at the back i hate to see what Oman does to us.