Socceroos: Australia cruises to victory over disappointing China
The Socceroos have taken another step on the road to next year’s World Cup with a comfortable win over China.
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Socceroos have recorded a ninth successive win on the road to next year’s World Cup with a 3-0 victory over China in Doha.
Picking up from where they left off in the previous round of AFC World Cup qualifiers, the Socceroos – captained by fit-again goalkeeper Mat Ryan – were rarely troubled in a “home” match being played in the capital city of Qatar due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.
China started the better but once the Australians kicked into gear it was one-way traffic, with goals to Awer Mabil, Martin Boyle and substitute Mitch Duke securing the three points in a match the Socceroos could have won by double the final scoreline such was their dominance. The Graham Arnold-coached team broke the game open with two goals in the space of two first-half minutes.
The first goal came in the 24th minute from Denmark-based forward Mabil, who just seconds earlier had been foiled by China goalkeeper Yan Junling.
Mabil’s fellow attacker Adam Taggart was first to the loose ball from Yan’s save and delivered a dangerous cross that Yan could only get his fingertips to.
Mabil was first to the cross, getting the better of defender Jiang Guangtai to score his fifth goal in 18 Socceroos appearances.
Having broken China’s resistance, the Socceroos then went for the jugular, with Boyle doubling Australia’s lead in the 26th minute.
Making the most of a clever pass from returning Celtic playmaker Tom Rogic, Hibernian winger Boyle unleashed from distance to score for the fourth time in just eight Socceroos appearances.
Duke sealed the win with one of his first touches of the ball in the 70th minute, pouncing on a loose ball in the penalty area after Mabil had forced a save out of Yan.
Also among the second-half substitutes was star midfielder Aaron Mooy, who like Rogic made his first appearance for Australia since November 2019.
Hull City’s Callum Elder also came on for a second-half cameo to make his Socceroos debut.
Earlier, Australia’s Group B rivals Japan suffered a shock 1-0 home loss to Oman.
“I’m very proud of the performance and there’s only a lot more improvement left,” Arnold said.
“I thought we were fantastic tonight.”
The Socceroos return to action on Tuesday night in Hanoi when they meet Vietnam, who were beaten 3-1 by Saudi Arabia.
Australia 3 (Mabil 24’, Boyle 26’, Duke 70’) d China 0 at Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar.
Australia: Mat Ryan, Rhyan Grant, Harry Souttar, Trent Sainsbury, Aziz Behich (Callum Elder 79’), Jackson Irvine (Jimmy Jeggo 79’), Ajdin Hrustic, Tom Rogic (Riley McGree 87’), Martin Boyle (Aaron Mooy 69’), Awer Mabil, Adam Taggart (Mitch Duke 69’).
China: Yan Junling, Wang Shenchao, Zhang Linpeng, Jiang Guangtai, Yu Dabao (Wang Gang 46’), Wu Xinghan (Wei Shihao 60’), Wu Xi, Jin Jingdao (Yin Hongbo 63’), Wu Lei, Zhang Xizhe (Hao Junmin 46’), Ai Kesen (Zhang Yuning 82’).
Originally published as Socceroos: Australia cruises to victory over disappointing China
Next Matildas coach must understand ‘Aussie’ way
An emerging Matildas star would like the team’s next permanent coach to have some key characteristics.
A-League referees hit back over sensational quit claim
Suggestions of poor officiating being the reason behind an A-League captain quitting mid-season have been slammed. But referees have still been told their jobs are on the line.