Prior to this contest, there was talk of whether the Socceroos, and more specifically Ange Postecoglou, would be able to cope with the mounting pressure that has crept into their qualifying campaign following a run of four stalemates. The coach had pointedly refused to admit he lets such situations get to him and 90 minutes of football at Allianz Stadium on Tuesday night to an extent backed that claim up: a 2-0 win over the United Arab Emirates means Australian hopes of qualifying for a fourth consecutive World Cup finals remain very much in their own hands, even if an underwhelming performance did little to set the pulse racing.
Jackson Irvine, the 24-year-old midfielder currently making waves in the Championship for Burton Albion, continued his rise to prominence with a powerful header from a corner to help settle any early Socceroos nerves. His goal laid the platform for what could, and arguably should, have been a comfortable night, yet the Socceroos made it difficult for themselves thereafter and having failed to put the game to bed, walked something a tightrope until Matthew Leckie struck in an almost identical fashion to the opener with 13 minutes remaining.
The relief was palpable among the 27,328 crowd, but the result flattered the hosts. Postecoglou stuck with his newly-preferred 3-2-4-1 formation and questions remain: the back three of Bailey Wright, Trent Sainsbury and Brad Smith were exposed on more than one occasion by balls over the top and the holes left risk being exploited by teams with greater attacking nous. Tougher examinations lie on the road to Russia, with group leaders Saudi Arabia at home in June and second-placed Japan away in August before the Socceroos end their group campaign by hosting Thailand in September.
Postecoglou afterwards admitted his system was not perfect, but he was nevertheless pleased with how it worked on the night. “It’s a game of football,” he said. “We’re going to try to score goals, which we did, we created a number of opportunities from which we probably should have scored from and the opposition are going to create some opportunities.
“I thought our defence was outstanding tonight. If people want the perfect system it’s probably their hot water system at home. But it ain’t a football system.
“I’m just glad people are talking about systems. We don’t talk enough about football in this country. If nothing else I’ve initiated some debate, which is great.”
Here, Omar Adbulrahman, the reigning Asian player of the year, looked the most likely to unlock the Socceroos defence and despite some close attention, sometimes too close, from Postecoglou’s men he sparkled in the middle of the park with a neat turn here, and an incisive pass there. He also stung Mathew Ryan’s fingers with a wicked first-half free-kick and the Socceroos keeper was again called into action to foil him after the break. Otherwise the visitors rarely looked capable of capitalising on his invention.
As it was, the UAE were allowed to stay in the game until as late as they did thanks to some rather profligate finishing from the hosts. Leckie could have got his name on the scoresheet soon after Irvine opened the scoring, but his effort at the back post was put into the side netting and Mark Milligan should have done better on 42 minutes when the ball came his way on the edge of the box, but he failed to muster the requisite power to test Ali Khaseif in goal.
The pair were not alone: captain Mile Jedinak could only direct his own back-stick effort on the stretch into the arms of the goalkeeper soon after the restart and Bailey Wright saw a prodded effort diverted over the bar not long after.
Tim Cahill was introduced for Tomi Juric with 20 minutes remaining as Postecoglou looked for that killer touch that had eluded his players since Irvine struck, and he almost got what he was looking for, although not from his trump card off the bench. Instead it was James Troisi who should have put the game to bed; but he lacked composure and his effort sailed over the bar.
Further chances fell to Leckie and Jackson again, both headers, as the second half progressed but it was left to Leckie to have the final say, his thumping effort putting the game behind the UAE and a gloss on the result.
Postecoglou was glowing in his praise for Irvine in particular, who made his first international start in Australia in the absence of the injured Tom Rogic and suspended Aaron Mooy. “He was terrific. He wants to learn. Every time he comes into the camp he’s looking to progress his career. He and Jimmy Troisi defensively did a great job for us in stopping them and he’s always a threat [attacking]. He’s had a good start to his international career, but there’s plenty more for him.”
