Calamitous defending and spurned chances: Socceroos player ratings against Bahrain

The inability to turn chances into goals continues to plague the Socceroos.

On either side of a pair of defensive howlers, the Socceroos were the better side in their World Cup qualifier against Bahrain. Everywhere except the scoreboard, that is. In the end, a late scramble to eke out a 2-2 draw was a huge relief on a night few questions were answered.

While defenders Cameron Burgess and Hayden Matthews had mishaps that won’t quickly be forgotten, who among the remainder of the Socceroos squad made a difference?

Socceroos’ player ratings:

1. Maty Ryan (5/10)
If his initial demotion from the side was a surprise, his return was a massive shock. Well off his line for Bahrain’s first goal, but he can’t be blamed for whatever it was Burgess was trying to do in front of him. Absolved of any blame for the second goal as well.

Kusini Yengi scored both goals for Australia. The first inside one minute and the second in extra time.Credit: Getty Images

21. Cameron Burgess (4)
His thinking in the seconds preceding Bahrain’s first goal is a mystery. The result was bordering on tragic. The rest of his night was of a good standard but that split-second decision is all many will remember. Credit to the finish from Mahdi Abduljabbar.

19. Harry Souttar (6)
Soccer’s answer to Conan O’Brien (looks-wise as his comedy stylings remain largely undocumented) led the defence well. Can’t be blamed for either of the nightmare goals the side conceded.

17. Hayden Matthews (5)
Tony Popovic has never been afraid to give young players a chance if he believes they’re ready. In a match of this importance, throwing a 20-year-old who hadn’t played a professional match 10 months ago into the fray from the get-go was next level. Bahrain’s second goal came from a defensive header he couldn’t control.

16. Aziz Behich (5)
For better or worse, you know what you’re getting from Behich. Tireless running, adroit defending and the odd baffling moment when he is in attacking positions. In his 60-odd minutes on the field, his contribution on this night was enough.

3. Lewis Miller (5.5)
Hard to remember him being out-muscled, or out-worked, during his time in Australian colours. More of the same on this night. His night was over before the defensive madness commenced.

22. Jackson Irvine (4.5)
Effort and defensive application will never be questioned. But too many times the play either slows to a crawl or stops altogether when the ball is at his feet in good attacking areas. His spot in the team shouldn’t be questioned, but his tactical use is worthy of a re-think. Was removed from the action with 30 minutes remaining.

7. Anthony Caceres (6)
It took 32 years on this planet for Caceres to make his first start in the national team shirt. He largely made it count. His night wasn’t perfect, but he asked enough questions and worked plenty hard.

Harry Souttar, Cameron Burgess and Kusini Yengi sport long faces after full-time.Credit: Getty Images

23. Craig Goodwin (6)
Any Australian side that Goodwin is in is better for it. The only genuine game-breaker we have at this level. Things were looking great when he came off. After not playing against Saudi Arabia, did he need to be taken off with so long remaining?

14. Riley McGree (7)
Australia’s best player in the first half. Hard to recall an error, easy to remember the positive influences. Handed Kusini Yengi a great chance to score midway through the term. Nothing will ever beat his “Scorpion King” goal in 2018 while playing for Newcastle in the A-League, but this showing was more important regarding the bigger picture.

9. Kusini Yengi (4)
Where do you start? Yep, he did score after just 38 seconds. And then he scored in the 96th minute to make the score 2-2. But, in the 94 minutes in between he struggled to keep out of his own way. Had three more great chances to score but messed each of them up. Those wasted opportunities kept the door open for the hosts. Good reliable strikers are the hardest thing to find in world soccer. Australia’s search continues.

Substitutes:

5. Jordan Bos (4.5)
Not many questions were asked but (thankfully) no mistakes of note made. No real impact in attacking situations on the wing.

8. Jason Geria (4.5)
Same scenario as Bos.

10. Ajdin Hrustic (4)
Was on the field for long enough to have made more of an impact in attack. This guy was Australia’s premier attacking midfielder a couple of years back. It’s difficult to prosecute that argument today.

11. Brandon Borrello (N/A)
Was involved in the lead-up to Yengi’s second goal but aside from that, chances were limited.

13. Aiden O’Neill (4)
A like-for-like swap with Irvine. His introduction was the right thing to do when leading 1-0. But once the score was 2-1 to Bahrain, a more attack-focused midfielder would have been ideal.

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