Sizzling Socceroos’ on hottest streak in 24 years after China win
Australia has torn through China riding a winning streak only seen once previously in a red-hot start to the third stage of World Cup qualifying.
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The Socceroos have won nine straight matches for the first time since 1997 after ripping through China in the opening game of the third stage of World Cup qualification.
The Aussies were a class above on their way to a 3-0 win in Doha on Friday morning (AEST).
Coach Graham Arnold described the win as “fantastic.
“Very proud of the performance. There is a lot more improvement left,” he said.
“The boys are extremely fit and when you bring the family back together, even though they have been away for quite a while, the Socceroos family, their friendship is so important and crucial, and I thought we were fantastic tonight.”
Awer Mabil, Martin Boyle and Mitch Duke all found the back of the net with Duke’s goal sealing the victory in the 70th minute.
The victory came after the Socceroos won eight straight games during the second stage of World Cup qualifying and have now started the final phase in ominous form.
After a sluggish start Australia scored twice in two minutes to break China’s back at the half-hour mark in the first half.
Mabil scored the first goal off a rebound inside the penalty area, before Boyle’s silky shot to the left hand corner from outside the box.
Boyle was substituted for Duke and it proved a masterstroke by Arnold, with Duke scoring from just his second tough of the game.
Duke also scored off a cross from Mabil, which had left China’s defence all messed up.
Arnold also made eye-catching substitutions mid-way through the second half, giving fullback Callum Elder his debut after being brought on in the 78th minute, replacing Aziz Behich.
Jimmy Jeggo also got game time when he replaced Jackson Irvine.
The impressive performance saw Australia win nine straight for just the third time in history and the most recent streak since 1997.
The Roos will make history if they are able to make it 10 consecutive wins when they next travel to Hanoi for a Tuesday evening clash with Vietnam.
Mabil said the team is embracing the pressure of breaking records.
“We are here to make history so it is really good for the books but we have got more to come and so we are only just getting started,” he said.
“I’m excited for what we are going to do. It’s really nice that it is starting to show because we are here to make history.”
It is the first of 10 games – home and away fixtures against each of China, Vietnam, Oman, Japan and Saudi Arabia – that could book Australia a place in the World Cup for the fifth consecutive time.
The Socceroos had more good news on Friday morning with biggest rival Japan suffering a shock loss to Oman on home soil.
Originally published as Sizzling Socceroos’ on hottest streak in 24 years after China win
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