Late penalty is a disastrous blow to Socceroos’ World Cup hopes

The Socceroos’ bid for World Cup qualification has suffered a huge setback after a last-gasp penalty crushed them in Oman.

Jackson Irvine sums up the mood. (Photo by Adil Al Naimi/Getty Images)

The Socceroos’ hopes of qualifying for this year’s World Cup have suffered a huge blow after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Oman in Muscat.

Seemingly headed for a crucial three points when leading 2-1 deep into the contest, the Australians were left stunned by an 89th-minute penalty from Abdullah Fawaz after fullback Fran Karacic fouled Oman substitute Muhsen Al-Ghassani.

The draw leaves the Socceroos three points behind second-placed Japan in Group B of the third round of AFC World Cup qualifiers.

Only the top two teams from Groups A and B automatically qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar.

Finishing third will mean the Socceroos must survive two sudden-death qualifiers, one against South American opposition, to qualify for a fifth successive World Cup.

Making matters tougher is that Australia’s remaining two Group B matches are against Japan and leaders Saudi Arabia, who despite being beaten 2-0 by Japan on Tuesday night, are four points ahead of the Socceroos.

“The players are dead silent,” coach Graham Arnold said after the match. “I just said to them, I’m a little bit disappointed with the sloppiness at times and the physical side of things, but overall we’ve just got to get on with it. Pick yourselves up, get back to your clubs, work hard, get healthy and we look forward to the Japan game.

“I’ve still got a load of belief in the boys. At the end of the day, everything is still in our own hands. We have to win both games, and beating Japan and Saudi Arabia away, our goal difference is like an extra point.”

Captain Mat Ryan added: “I’m very disappointed. We came here, we prepared well, and at the end of the day it’s not good enough to (not) take something away from the game.

“It’s not the first time it’s happened this campaign. We’ve got to learn from it, there’s still possibilities, and we’ll keep giving everything we’ve got.

“When you face a bit of hardship, it’s all about how you respond. That’s got to be the focus now.”

The Socceroos were awarded a penalty when Martin Boyle was fouled in the box by Faiyz Issa Al Rusheidi. (Photo by Adil Al Naimi/Getty Images)

The Australians paid the price in Muscat for an inadequate second-half display after being in total control in the first half.

The Socceroos had the ball in the back of the net after just five minutes via a Trent Sainsbury header from an Aaron Mooy free-kick. However, central defender Sainsbury was correctly flagged offside by the assistant referee.

Just 10 minutes later though the Socceroos had their deserved lead. It came from a Jamie Maclaren penalty after fellow attacker Martin Boyle was fouled in the box by Oman goalkeeper Faiz Al-Rushaidi.

Mat Leckie and Tom Rogic had late first-half chances to extend Australia’s lead but neither could convert.

Oman started the second half strongly and shocked the Socceroos with a stunning equaliser in the 54th minute from Fawaz.

Afforded too much space just outside Australia’s penalty area, midfielder Fawaz unleashed with a blistering strike that was too good for outstretched Socceroos goalkeeper Ryan.

Mooy restored the Socceroos’ lead in the 79th minute after an impressive build up that included Boyle and substitutes Craig Goodwin and Mitch Duke.

However, it wasn’t enough, with Fawaz’s late penalty, his second goal of the match, denying the Socceroos the win they were craving.

The Socceroos made one change to the team that started in last Thursday’s 4-0 win over Vietnam. It was the alteration that Arnold confirmed on match eve, with experienced left back Aziz Behich recalled at the expense of rookie Joel King.

Midfielder Riley McGree, who scored after coming off the bench against Vietnam, was ruled out before the match after contracting Covid-19.

The virus wreaked havoc with Oman, with seven players unavailable after testing positive.