United Arab Emirates
1
Match Complete
Australia
2
| 84' |  | A. Hrustic | ||
| C. C. Corr??a | | 57' | ||
| 55' |  | A. Hrustic | ||
| 53' | | J. Irvine | ||
| A. A. M. M. O. A. Hajeri | | 34' |
| 6 | Shots | 8 | ||
| 4 | On Target | 4 | ||
| 10 | Fouls | 5 | ||
| 2 | Corners | 5 | ||
| 1 | Offsides | 0 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
The Socceroos face United Arab Emirates and their world cup destiny, in the first of a potential two knock-out matches in Qatar. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4am AEST.
It is Groundhog Day for Australian football, with the Socceroos facing elimination from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar should they be unable to advance past UAE this morning.
There is no tomorrow for Graham Arnold’s team, with a win and a match-up against Peru in a week’s time the only way the squad will be on the plane to Qatar later in the year and the difficulty of the task ahead is only magnified by an equally desperate opponent and just a single game to decide the winner.
UAE finished a distant third in their qualification group and won just three matches from ten. However, after a strong start, the Socceroos fared little better and managed just four wins during qualification. Those unconvincing records have led to these two teams being forced to live through the pain and pressure of do-or-die play in order to qualify.
Graham Arnold sprang a few surprises in a lead-up friendly against Jordan last week and the make-up of the starting eleven for this fixture will remain a mystery for all until shortly before kick-off. The key questions will be whether faith is shown in Aaon Mooy in the midfield and Jamie Maclaren up front, with Trent Sainsbury, Aziz Behich, Martin Boyle and Ajdin Hrustic likely to come back into a team that looked very experimental against the Jordanians.
There is no wriggle room left for the Socceroos, a win is a must, or the post-match analysis of their qualifying campaign will once again focus heavily on whether the team continues to underachieve.
Focus will also be placed on the role that the coach is playing in regenerating the squad with the young talent that appears rarely given a chance to perform at the top level.
The one thing in Australia’s favour is that the Socceroos have managed this situation before and usually do well in such encounters, with particular wins in these knock-out fixtures now forming part of Australian football folklore.
Prediction
This could be as cagey a football match as we have seen in a long time. No goals in normal time would not surprise and risk-taking will be at a minimum.
The Socceroos may have a slight advantage in overall quality, yet it will be their ability to convert chances created in open play, something that has played them of late, that will decide this match. Australia to win with an extra-time goal.
Game information
Venue: Al Rayyan Stadium, Qatar
Kick-off: 4am AEST
Broadcast: Channel 10
Live stream: 10 Play app and website
Betting: UAE $4.85, Draw $3.40, Australia $1.77 – odds via PlayUp
UAE Squad
K.Eisa, A Hussain, K.AlHammadi, M.Al Attas, W.Abbas, M.Hassan, A.Ramadan, B,Al-Ahbabi, M Al Baloushi, H. Al-Maazmi, Caio, M.Al Shamsi, KAl-Hashemi, M.Marzooq, A.Salmeen, T.Alzaabi, A.A.H.M Rashid Al Naqbi, K.Ibrahim, A.Saleh, Y.Al Ghassani, S, Adill Mohamed Abdalla Alamiri, M.Khamis, A.Al Hosani, A.Mabkhout
Socceroos Squad
Nathanial Atkinson, Aziz Behich, Martin Boyle, Nicholos D’Agostino, Jason Davidson, Milos Degenek, Kenny Dougall, Mitchell Duke, Denis Genreau, Craig Goodwin, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Fran Karacic, Joel King, Mathew Leckie, Awer Mabil, Jamie Maclaren, Riley McGree, Aaron Mooy, Andrew Redmayne, Kye Rowles, Mathew Ryan, Trent Sainsbury, Gianni Stensness, Adam Taggart, Marco Tilio, Danny Vukovic, Bailey Wright
Punter
Roar Rookie
WE?
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Possible changes. Milligan thinks they’ll stick with Atkinson, take his point that he has that attacking intent, and you could see that in that last half hour, during our best period with game on the line, Atkinson would drift inside to help keep possession and allow Boyle to maintain that width. Not discussed, but other two positions to consider: - Goodwin on left wing - Leckie in front
Grem
Roar Rookie
And congratulations to our U23s. 2 wins and a draw and they progress.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Yeh, spot on
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Good interview by Hrustic then. It was disappointing that they conceded like that, but they didn’t drop their heads, and in fact, from that point on actually dominated rest of the game. Shows some mental toughness and resilience to do that.
Grem
Roar Rookie
It would be nice to see him in Europe again. I understand the money in Saudi Arabia is good, but... And it would be good to see Mooy leave China as well. And while on this subject - Ryan is a very good keeper - he needs to be somewhere where he's playing each week.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Now Peru must come to Qatar, we get another 6 days in camp as a team, we can lift again
Grem
Roar Rookie
A big if... If we can beat Peru that means FA get a $20000000 dividend - Would Gus be available in November?
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
This was a real banana skin game, one off, in UAEs backyard, just had to get job done. Yes, Peru a different challenge again, start as favourites, probably 60/40 in their favour, that’s ok
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Boyle on Hrustic “He’s a top player, he’s had a fantastic few weeks so he’s obviously coming into camp in good spirits. The quality he brings to the team is brilliant,” Boyle said. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/fifa-world-cup-2022-qualifying-live-updates-socceroos-v-uae-20220607-p5arm2.html?post=p53s6p#p53s6p
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Well done Stuart - for large parts of Arnie-ball games the only sensible comment is "they're still playing".
Grem
Roar Rookie
And Sainsbury will be back and hopefully Taghet on the bench.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Martin Boyle was/is our X factor. Pure and simple.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Yes - Hrustic and Boyle actually run at the defence and open things up. In contrast, UAE just stood off Mooy and marked all his targets, knowing if he does move forward they have a few weeks to shut him down.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Never in doubt.
AGO74
Guest
I think it was the right result on balance. Much better 2nd half (besides their goal). Peru will be a much faster and more dangerous opponent- but I think it will also give more opportunities for our best players in particular Martin boyle who was the difference in 2nd half (don’t forget Hrustic stunning strike came from a corner that boyle won).
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Hrustic had an iffy start to the 2nd half, but then came good with some telling involvements, and showed his class for the 2nd goal, In fact, showed his work rate in winning the ball back in midfield, just prior to the corner being won Hrustic and Boyle the two best tonight
Stuart Thomas
Expert
:laughing: :laughing:
Stevo
Roar Rookie
We don’t have to be convincing. We just have to win, ugly or sexy :silly: :silly:
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the game. A full match report will follow in around 30 minutes and be sure to join me on Monday for what will be an enthralling few hours when the Socceroos face Peru for a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. UAE…………....1 Socceroos…….2