1 week Ago By David Shilovsky
The Socceroos could not capitalise on multiple quality chances as Tony Popovic’s side played out a tense 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw with Saudi Arabia at AAMI Park on Thursday. Australia survived a late scare after the visitors had the ball in the back of the net but the linesman came to their rescue. The Herve Renard-led Saudis started the contest with plenty of energy and lots of possession but also looked vulnerable playing out from the back, leading to good chances for Jackson Irvine and Ajdin Hrustic.
The A-Leagues’ 20th season is on now! Be part of the action in stadium or watch it live. Riley McGree had an opportunity to steal all three points in the final few minutes but his shot was blocked after Brandon Borrello was probably not selfish enough in front of goal. Australia’s passing in their own third was questionable also as Joe Gauci looked less than comfortable with the ball at his feet but enjoyed a solid night with the gloves.
But the toothless attack is surely cause for concern, with Shogo Taniguchi’s deflection into his own net the only goal scored by Australia over 180 minutes of play in Saitama and Melbourne. More Football A trip to Riffa looms on Wednesday as the Socceroos face Bahrain on Wednesday (AEDT) to close out the international window. Lack of killer instinct costs Socceroos Cameron Burgess played a hopeful up and under from a drop ball that bounced just outside the box that Ahmed Al-Kassar made an awful mess of clearing, as the Saudi gloveman led with his head and made contact with Mitch Duke’s head.
A penalty was initially ruled but a VAR check confirmed the contact came outside the penalty area and there was no discipline for Al-Kassar despite the illegal contact on the Socceroos’ striker. The ball fell perfectly for Harry Souttar from the resulting free-kick but the big centre-half could not control his shot and blazed over the crossbar. Australia were struggling to control the ball, often giving up possession easily under little pressure, though Herve Renard didn’t set up his side as cynically as perhaps expected.
In fact, the Saudi high press caused Australia to struggle with playing out from deep. Ajdin Hrustic looked threatening on the ball, playing deft passed in midfield but unable to create clear-cut chances. The fleet-footed midfielder had the Socceroos’ best chance of the opening stanza following Aiden O’Neill’s excellent tackle but could only send a weak shot towards Al-Kassar’s goal.
Hrustic was hooked at half-time in favour of Nishan Velupillay after going down just prior to the break with an apparent groin injury. The second half turned into a tentative arm-wrestle as neither side managed to grab the ascendency. McGree could only see his see close-range shot blocked after Borrello squared to the Middlesbrough man in the penalty area.
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