Socceroos rebound from shock loss to Jordan with comfortable 3-0 win over Palestine

Australia have put Palestine to the sword with a three-goal belting to revive their flagging Asian Cup defence in a much improved performance from Graham Arnold's men.

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Dignity is restored, and the Socceroos have put themselves in the box seat to reach the Asian Cup’s knockout stages after sweeping aside Palestine 3-0.

Jamie Maclaren finally broke his international duck and Awer Mabil ensured two first-half goals within the space of two minutes, before substitute Apostolos Giannou added a last-gasp third in Dubai last night to silence Australia’s mounting critics and steer their tournament defence back on track.

Sunday’s static 1-0 loss to Jordan had left little margin for error, and defeat at a packed Rashid Stadium would likely have meant an embarrassing group-stage exit and turned the blowtorch on Graham Arnold.

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Jamie Maclaren celebrates scoring Australia's opener against Palestine

But the new coach got the reaction he’d demanded via a markedly improved collective performance, underscored by the reawakening of Tom Rogic and bursting runs of Chris Ikonomidis.

If Rogic was anonymous against Jordan, his influence was heavily felt here, while Ikonomidis’ two-assist display on promotion will render it difficult for Robbie Kruse to crack back into the starting XI.

Australia used width wisely and captain Mark Milligan was the fulcrum, the source of a more direct approach that, while unlikely to strike fear into the hearts of trophy fancies like South Korea and Iran, will have them bristling with confidence ahead of their third and final group clash with Syria.

However Arnold will be forced into a defensive reshuffle after Trent Sainsbury copped a late yellow card – his second of the tournament – for time-wasting, meaning he’ll be suspended.

Jordan’s all but certain claim on Group B's top spot leaves Australia playing for second place, a retrospective blessing that will probably mean avoiding a quarter-final collision course with Japan.

Awer Mabil celebrates scoring Australia's second goal. Picture: Getty

But, as the overwhelming dominance of Palestine supporters in the 11,915 crowd suggested, their spirited opening draw with Syria had sparked hope of an upset against the clearly fallible reigning champions.

And the team, hailing from a vast diaspora, hassled Australia at every opportunity and boasted speed on the break.

But they ultimately lacked attacking incisiveness, which may well have been down to their counterparts’ early breakthrough.

Ikonomidis proved his starting credentials within three minutes, combining with Aziz Behich and teeing up perfectly for Maclaren, only for the Hibernian striker to air swing dreadfully in front of a beckoning goal.

Chris Ikonomidis starred for Australia after being given the starting role by Graham Arnold. Picture: Getty

He soon atoned in superb fashion, and with equally deft service from Rogic.

Out of nothing and following a spell of static possession, the Celtic man, his broken hand swaddled in bandages, cut inside a defender and let rip a venomous inswinging cross that Maclaren rose to meet and headed straight into the far corner for his first goal in 10 caps.

Eighteen minutes in and Australia were ahead. A minute later and they’d be further in the green.

The left flank again proved fruitful as Ikonomidis placed a pinpoint cross to the back post just in time for Mabil to run onto it and smash home.

Five minutes later Jackson Irvine, installed at the expense of Massimo Luongo, nearly made it three via a leaping header from a corner that ricocheted off a Palestinian defender on the goalline.

The Hull City midfielder soon fired another header over the bar, though his overall physicality and aerial threat was keenly felt.

Jackson Irvine reacts after a missed chance. Picture: Getty

So too was the aggressive nature of the contest, and Behich was caught in a push and shove with Jonathan Zorrilla, who went down but subsequently received a yellow card as Palestine coach Noureddine Ould Ali even involved himself in the altercation.

Palestine enjoyed limited forays, their most promising from starlet Mahmoud Wadi, who weaved his way into Australia’s area and then fired a header wide.

But Milligan, retained in the midfield, was deft in his angular passing, and where first-half space came down the left, the right flank providing openings after the break.

Rhyan Grant, making his competitive starting debut at right-back in place of the injured Josh Risdon, fired forward and whipped in cross after cross to no avail.

Then, Giannou came on for Maclaren with eight minutes to play.  Off a short corner in the 90th, Ikonomidis chipped in a cross and the striker nodded home a free header.

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Originally published as Socceroos rebound from shock loss to Jordan with comfortable 3-0 win over Palestine

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