Sunderland's Bailey Wright helped Australia stay on course to qualify for this year's World Cup as the Socceroos defeated the United Arab Emirates in the Asian play-offs. Australia won 2-1 against UAE at Al Rayyan Stadium in Doha to book their place in Monday's inter-continental play-off final where they will meet Peru at the same venue.
The winners of that inter-continental play-off game will earn a place at the World Cup finals in Qatar in November. Defender Wright played the full 90 minutes against UAE, as former Burton Albion, Hull City, and Hibs midfielder Jackson Irvine put the Socceroos in front early in the second half.
Caio Canedo levelled soon afterwards, but Ajdin Hrustic scored the winning goal for Australia five minutes from full-time. Wright was a key member of the Sunderland side that secured promotion last season via the play-offs from League One to the Championship.
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The 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of the month, but is one of three players - the others being Lynden Gooch and Patrick Roberts - who have been offered new deals to stay on Wearside. Wright joined Sunderland in January 2020, initially on loan, from Bristol City before signing on a permanent basis that summer when his contract at Ashton Gate expired.
In total, he has made 91 appearances and scored four goals in all competitions for the Black Cats.
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