Asian Cup 2024 live: Socceroos vs Indonesia round of 16 coverage from Qatar
It wasn’t always easy, but a couple of late goals will help the Socceroos take momentum into the quarter-finals in a 4-0 over Indonesia.
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An Asian Cup quarter-final showdown against either Saudi Arabia or South Korea awaits the Socceroos after their 4-0 win over Indonesia.
Despite the Indonesians having the better of the midfield battle for periods of the round-of-16 clash at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, the Australians stretched their unbeaten run to eight matches and inched closer to tournament glory.
The Socceroos needed the help of an own goal from Thailand-born Indonesia defender Elkan Baggott to take the lead inside the opening quarter of an hour.
Winger Martin Boyle doubled Australia’s lead on the stroke of half-time with his second goal in two matches after also scoring in his side’s 1-1 Group B draw with Uzbekistan last Tuesday.
Substitute Craig Goodwin – who made his first appearance since the Socceroos’ opening match of the tournament, a 2-0 win over India – sealed the win in the 89th minute with a well-taken volley.
Towering defender Harry Souttar provided the icing of the cake in stoppage-time, heading home a Goodwin free-kick.
However, the scoreline wasn’t a true indication of the contest, with the Indonesians performing better than a four-goal loss would suggest on paper.
The Socceroos will again need to improve if they are to prevail over either Saudi Arabia or Uzbekistan on Saturday morning (AEDT).
The Australians will have the advantage of a couple of extra days rest between matches, with the Saudi Arabia-South Korea round-of-16 battle not taking place until Wednesday morning (AEDT).
But the Socceroos will still need to step up a gear if they are to progress to the semi-finals.
Indonesia looked the better in possession, but it was Australia who took the lead – in fortuitous circumstances – in the 12th minute.
Midfielder Jackson Irvine forced his way into the opposition’s penalty area before delivering a low cross that took a wicked deflection off Thailand-born Indonesia defender Elkan Baggott before finding the back of the net.
The Socceroos doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time through Boyle, who headed home a cross from the recalled Gethin Jones at the far post.
Indonesia’s best chance of the first half came in just the sixth minute when striker Rafael Struick got in front of Socceroos defender Harry Souttar to be first to a near-post cross from Justin Hubner.
However, much to Australia’s relief, Struick’s clever flick was just off target.
The Indonesians didn’t create much in the second half, with the Socceroos’ two late goals sealing the win.
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold made two changes to the team that started in Australia’s draw with Uzbekistan.
Despite impressing Arnold with his performance at centre-forward, Kusini Yengi dropped back to the bench, with Melbourne Victory ace Bruno Fornaroli getting his first start for the tournament after three appearances off the bench.
The other change was in defence, with right-back Gethin Jones recalled at the expense of Nathaniel Atkinson.
Follow along below to see how the action unfolded.
12.30PM: SOCCEROOS MOVE ON TO LAST EIGHT
That’s full time!
Australia has defeated Indonesia 4-0 and move on to play the winner of Saudi Arabia and South Korea in the quarter-finals.
12.20PM: ANOTHER ONE!
The 90 minutes have not reflected a 4-0 scoreline but that’s what Australia have got!
Harry Souttar’s aerial ability was too much for Indonesia from a Craig Goodwin set piece.
It’s great to see the goals finally fly in and hopefully the Socceroos can take this momentum into the next round.
12.18PM: SOCCEROOS SEAL THE DEAL
It’s a third for Australia!
Craig Goodwin only just came on a few minutes before he volleyed home another for the Socceroos.
That’s a spot in the quarter-finals secured.
12.10PM: HUGE CHANCE GOES BEGGING
Mitch Duke has missed a golden opportunity to put this game to bed.
The substitute was played in behind and had only the goalkeeper to deal with but sent his shot high and wide of the target.
It was Australia’s best move of the second half.
12:05PM: SEEING IT OUT
There hasn’t been a shot on goal from either side in this second half which hasn’t been pretty.
But the Aussies are 2-0 up so you can’t complain, right?
The questions over the Socceroos’ attacking threat will remain with a higher quality opponent coming in the quarter-finals, if they see this one out.
11.55PM: INDONESIANS UP IN ARMS
Gethin Jones has sparked a reaction from the Indonesians after a needless kick out.
Jones was fouled but then retaliated by intentionally tripping his opponent after he was awarded the free kick.
The Indonesians crowded the referee who then gave Jones a yellow card.
11.50PM: TIME FOR SUBSTITUTES
Bruno Fornaroli’s match comes to an end for Mitch Duke, while Connor Metcalfe replaces Riley McGree in midfield.
Australia certainly aren’t dominating this match, but at the moment they’re doing just enough to hold on to their lead.
🎯 @GethinJones8 âž¡ï¸ @MartinBoyle9 🟰 âš½
— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) January 28, 2024
What a cross from the right-back 🔥
🎥 @10FootballAUS#AUSvIDN#Socceroos#AsianCup2023#DifferentBreedpic.twitter.com/zwrW0WoxSX
11.15PM: SOCCEROOS SEND SUCKER PUNCH IN DYING STAGES
2-0 to Australia on the stroke of half time!
Just as Indonesia were building pressure, a sustained attack from the Aussies has resulted in another goal.
Gethin Jones sent a terrific ball low across the box and Martin Boyle was at the back post to head it home.
Boyle’s second goal of the tournament is also Australia’s first shot of the match.
It’s a two-goal lead at the break for the Socceroos.
11.10PM: AUSSIES UNDER ATTACK
The Socceroos are struggling to stay in possession and Indonesia are looking dangerous in the latter stages of this first half.
As soon as Australia give the ball up in midfield it is pounced on by the men in red who are quick to surge towards goal.
Those who thought this match would be a walk in the park for the Aussies aren’t seeing the game they thought they would.
10.55PM: WHO SAYS YOU NEED TO SHOOT TO SCORE?
25 minutes into the contest and the Socceroos haven’t registered a shot, yet lead the match 1-0 via an own goal.
The Indonesians however have made three attempts on Mat Ryan’s net, with one on target.
It’s not for a want of trying, but Australia would like to test the Indonesian goalkeeper more in this match.
10.45PM: BRUNO SEES YELLOW
Bruno Fornaroli has copped a yellow card for a high boot in the Socceroos’ attacking box.
The Melbourne Victory striker attempted an audacious bicycle kick but his flying boot went dangerously close to an Indonesian defender’s head.
It means Fornaroli will be walking the tightrope for the rest of the contest.
It might not be his goal but @jacksonirvine_ has been impactful this @afcasiancup 🌟
— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) January 28, 2024
🎥 @10FootballAU#AUSvIDN#Socceroos#AsianCup2023#DifferentBreedpic.twitter.com/Sf85FqRoav
10.41PM: OWN GOAL!
Australia have taken a fortuitous lead through a Jackson Irvine cross that deflected off defender Elkan Baggott and into Indonesia’s net.
It settles the nerves of the Socceroos who haven’t had it all go their way in the opening stages.
1-0 to Australia!
10.36PM: EARLY WARNING SHOT
The Socceroos have escaped conceding a shock early goal after a strike from Indonesia’s Rafael Struick just landed on the roof of the net.
“Australia almost caught cold,” English commentator Simon Hill said.
It’s been a nervy start with the Indonesians threatening Australia on the break.
10.30PM: WE’RE UNDERWAY
No second chances.
Indonesia have kicked off and it’s go time!
10.10PM: HISTORY AGAINST INDONESIA
The Socceroos are heavily fancied to get the job done tonight and history is on their side.
Australia have won 11 of 15 matches against Indonesia, losing three and drawing one clash.
The last meeting between the two nations was almost 14 years ago in an Asian Cup Qualifier, where Mark Milligan scored the only goal of the match in a 1-0 win.
9.30PM: FORNAROLI GIVEN FIRST ASIAN CUP START
Graham Arnold has turned to 36-year-old Bruno Fornaroli to lead the line for the Socceroos tonight.
Fornaroli is making his first start of the tournament, rewarded for his promising cameos off the bench for Australia and terrific form in the A-League where he’s scored 13 goals in 10 matches.
Former Socceroo Alex Brosque backed the decision.
“I love the bravery from Arnie (Graham Arnold) to bring him in. We know his quality,” Brosque said.
Kusini Yengi has been dropped to the bench where Mitch Duke and Craig Goodwin have been named after returning from injury.
Gethin Jones also starts ahead of Nathaniel Atkinson.
📋 Two changes to the starting line up for our Round of 16 match.
— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) January 28, 2024
🇦🇺 v 🇮🇩 - 28.1.24, 10:30pm AEDT
📱💻📺 Live on Channel 10, Paramount+, 10 Play#AUSvIDN#Socceroos#AsianCup2023#DifferentBreedpic.twitter.com/9qbgS37b8C
9.15PM: WHAT THE RESULT MEANS
This is the first knockout match for the Socceroos this tournament, meaning a loss would see them exit the competition.
A win over Indonesia would mean Australia progress to the quarter-finals and play the winner of Saudi Arabia and South Korea.
EARLIER: SOCCEROOS TO ‘FIGHT TILL WE DROP’ TO AVOID KNOCKOUT BOILOVER
- AFP
Coach Graham Arnold told his Australia team “to fight till we drop” to avoid a major Asian Cup upset at the hands of Indonesia in the last 16 on Sunday (10:30pm AEDT).
The Socceroos came to Qatar as one of the favourites and will be fully expected to defeat Indonesia, who are the lowest-ranked team left at 146 in the world.
Indonesia’s coach Shin Tae-yong said they will need “a miracle” as they compete for the first time in the Asian Cup knockout rounds.
But Arnold, whose side were more solid than spectacular in topping their group with two wins and a draw, had a warning for his players.
“In every aspect they can do better,” he said, referring especially to the offensive side of Australia’s game, having scored four goals in three group matches.
“When they do better the team does better, and I feel we are getting better. “But the mindset and mentality in the most important thing,” added Arnold, who said first-choice centre-forward Mitchell Duke was back in full training following a hamstring niggle.
With Duke spearheading the attack and Arnold at the helm, the Socceroos reached the last 16 of the World Cup in Qatar, giving eventual champions Argentina a fright in a 2-1 defeat.
Their power and doggedness has been one of the hallmarks of Arnold’s side, and he called it “the Aussie DNA”.
“We fight till we drop,” said Arnold, asked if complacency was a danger against the underdogs of Indonesia.
“When you play for your nation and represent your country it does not matter who you play against.
“It’s about doing your nation proud.”
Indonesia squeezed into the last 16 as one of the four best third-placed finishers, winning one of their group games, against Vietnam, and losing to Japan and Iraq.
It is Indonesia’s first time in the knockout rounds of the Asian Cup, at their fifth attempt, and has been touted by Indonesian media as the country’s biggest match in a century.
“Australia are one of the best teams here and strong and powerful,” said coach Shin, who managed his native South Korea at the 2018 World Cup.
“Those aspects are probably the biggest strengths of their team.” Shin, who had a stint as a player and assistant coach in Australia, said his side “don’t have much of a chance of winning” and expects the Socceroos to have as much as 70 per cent possession.
But he warned: “Even though Australia are a strong team, we are going to play with a strong mentality and we will never give up until the referees blows the final whistle.”
Originally published as Asian Cup 2024 live: Socceroos vs Indonesia round of 16 coverage from Qatar
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