A superb first-half display by Celtic midfielder Tom Rogic inspired Australia to a 4-0 win over Vietnam to keep up the pressure on Japan and Saudi Arabia, ensuring hopes of direct qualification to the Qatar 2022 World Cup remain alive.
Rogic shrugged off the disappointment of having a goal he scored in the opening 25 seconds disallowed to dominate proceedings in this qualifier at AAMI Park.
Tom Rogic celebrates after scoring against Vietnam at AAMI Park.Credit: Getty Images
He ran at opponents, provided an outlet for teammates and orchestrated attacks, creating Jamie Maclaren’s opening goal and scoring another himself in an excellent opening 45 minutes.
Afterwards Rogic agreed that this had been one of his best ever national team performances , adding that he was delighted to have played in front of family and friends and delivered the right result.
“We knew the significance of the game in terms of qualification and the performance of the team. We maybe got a bit sloppy in the second half but overall it was a good day’s work.
“I am enjoying my life on and off the pitch. We have got a bit of work to do regarding qualification but we are on the right track. I think we were in control the whole match ...I don’t think the scoreline flattered us.″
Socceroos assistant coach Rene Muelensteen said Rogic was an “enormous driving force for us” and he will want the midfielder to be in the same touch for the must win match against Oman next week.
It was, as expected, one-way traffic, with Australia in the driving seat and Vietnam scrambling to keep their pumped-up opponents, lifted by a boisterous sell-out crowd, at bay.
Rogic has long been one of Australia’s most talented players but has not always shown his best form in the green and gold when he has been needed most. But on this occasion he left no one in any doubt about the influence he can exert when in the mood.
He had the ball in the net after barely 20 seconds, slamming home a shot from inside the penalty area after Maclaren had touched back Martin Boyle’s cross. Korean referee Ko Hyung-jin consulted the VAR before ruling the strike out on the grounds that an offside Jackson Irvine had interfered with the Vietnamese goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong’s line of sight.
Fran Karacic is challenged by Do Hung Dung of Vietnam.Credit: Getty Images
Australia didn’t drop their heads and a few minutes later Rogic set up Mathew Leckie for a shot that forced Bui into a save.
Fran Karacic was getting through a power of work on the right, driving forward to provide support in the attack, while Sydney FC youngster Joel King was untroubled on the left in his international debut.
Leckie tangled with Vu Van Thanh and shortly afterwards flashed a header just wide as frustration began to mount.
Vietnam were able to engineer only sporadic attacks as Australia looked to stretch the game and play at a pace to force their opponents into mistakes.
Craig Goodwin celebrates a goal.Credit: Getty Images
Eventually, the breakthrough came on the half hour, and it was appropriate that Rogic was the architect, providing the cross for Maclaren to drift between his markers and head his team into a deserved lead.
COVID-hit Socceroos boss Graham Arnold, watching remotely, would have been pleased with the energy and intensity of his team, but less so at their profligacy as they looked to turn their overwhelming possession into goals.
Vietnam’s only real attempt came from Phan Van Duc , whose shot went straight to Maty Ryan.
Rogic got the goal his artistry and industry merited just seconds before the break, when he fastened on to a Leckie pass and deftly flicked the ball over the goalkeeper to make it 2-0, giving Australia the breathing space they needed.
Vietnam, desperate to get back in the game, began the second period in more adventurous mood and Pham Tuan Hai shot wide just after the restart, the same player also threatening with another effort shortly after.
They certainly carved out opportunities and Ryan had to stand strong to deny Nguyen Cong Phuong’s shot just after the hour mark as the visitors began to grow in confidence.
Nguyen Thanh Chung then missed an excellent chance to pull a goal back, heading over from close range when unmarked.
Australia’s nerves were settled with 18 minutes remaining when substitute Craig Goodwin ran on to a long Ryan clearance and coolly chipped over the advancing goalkeeper to make it 3-0.
And Riley McGree stepped off the bench to add a fourth two minutes later.
Rene Muelensteen, replacing Arnold on the sideline, rung the changes, resting Rogic and also giving Melbourne City 20-year-old Marco Tilio his international debut in the dying moments.
A tougher test in Oman awaits next week, but the mood in the camp will be upbeat.
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