Jackson Irvine of Australia celebrates his first goal at Ahmadbin Ali Stadium yesterday.Photo: Mohammed Farag
Doha: Australia will face Peru to compete in the World Cup final next November after defeating the United Arab Emirates 2-1 in Qatar 2022’s final Asian eliminator yesterday.
Defender Ali Salmeen will be in the fifth consecutive World Cup final, diverting Ajdin Hrustic’s volley through Ahmad bin Ali Stadium with six minutes remaining at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. I lived up to Australia’s hopes.
Jackson Irvine struck Graham Arnold’s side in the 53rd minute and went on a short-distance strike, but Caio Kaned leveled off with a powerful goal on Mathew Ryan’s net roof four minutes later.
The Australians increased pressure throughout the second half, and it was finally rewarded when Hrustic volleyed towards the goal following Aaron Mooy’s corner and the deviation from Salmin became decisive.
“We showed a good personality. I think we dominated most of the game and seized the opportunity when they came,” said Martin Boyle of Australia.
“It’s a half-finished job. We have to dust and prepare ourselves, and we’re going again.”
Halleb Abdala Suheil poses a major threat to the lower left towards the Emirates side, where the first exchange was better, driving Ryan into two saves in a post near him in the first 45 minutes.
However, in the 8th minute of the second half, an Australian attacked and Boyle turned the defense to find Irvine. Irvine scored the goal for the first time in a 6-yard box.
The lead lasted four minutes due to a problem with Suhail’s pace. Shabab Al Ahli’s winger curls on the cross, and Caio finally hits his left foot shot into the roof of the net.
Both Craig Goodwin and Hrustic made an effort to jump over the target before Boyle saw the ball bounce off his shin and grow as the Australians increased the pressure.
Aisa left Emirates in the game with an instinctive save from substitute Jamie Maclaren 10 minutes later, but four minutes later he could do little.
Mooy’s corner returned towards the edge of the penalty area, Hrustic made a strong connection, and the ball took a decisive deflection from Salmin’s hips, neutralizing Aisa. Socceroos will face Peru in the first match of the two intercontinental playoffs at the same venue next Monday, deciding the remaining spots in the final. New Zealand will face Costa Rica in the final eliminator 24 hours later.
