Australia’s failure to score proving costly on the qualifying road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Matches next month against China and Japan have taken on extra importance for the Socceroos after their disappointing start to the latest round of World Cup qualifiers.

The Socceroos’ FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign is not yet a “disaster” of epic proportions, but national coach Graham Arnold admits he has plenty to ponder ahead of next month’s games against China and Japan.

Australia has just one point from two matches in the third round of AFC qualifiers after following up last week’s shock 1-0 home loss to Bahrain with a 0-0 draw against Indonesia in Jakarta on Tuesday night.

While the performance in the draw in humid conditions and on a spongy pitch was much better than the awful display against the Bahrainis, the Socceroos’ failure to convert a host of chances after dominating possession was lamentable.

Overall, Australia had 19 shots to Indonesia’s five and 15 corners compared with the host’s three.

“It was a vastly improved performance (from last week) and the boys showed that, but I’m extremely disappointed because how many chances do we create, how many chances do we give?” Arnold said.

“It’s been a common theme for over a year.”

Frustrated Socceroos coach Graham Arnold (centre) reacts to a referee’s decision as Australia's Awer Mabil (left) and Indonesia's Calvin Verdonk wait for play to restart during the 0-0 draw in Jakarta. Picture: Aditya Aji / AFP

Indonesia’s Netherlands-born goalkeeper Maarten Paes made a host of saves to deny the visitors, but the Socceroos should have done better with the chances they had.

Among those to spurn good opportunities were defender Harry Souttar, winger Craig Goodwin and substitutes Adam Taggart and Awer Mabil.

Teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda, who was called into Australia’s starting line-up, also fluffed a good chance to score with a header but was also unlucky after unleashing a long-distance strike that hit the post, with the ball then bouncing off the legs of outstretched keeper Paes and rolling away to safety.

“I thought the boys did quite well,” Arnold said.

“The boys put in the effort. They all admitted their performance wasn’t good enough in the first game.

“They’re filthy about (this) result.”

The Socceroos need to finish in the top two of their six-nation group to guarantee themselves a spot at the 2026 World Cup.

Finishing third or fourth in their group will keep their qualifying hopes alive but mean more games and potentially playoffs.

The Socceroos are five points behind group leaders Japan and three adrift of second-placed Saudi Arabia,

A win over bottom nation China at Adelaide Oval on October 10 is essential for the Australians, who after that face a tough task of beating Japan in Saitama on October 15.

“There are eight (group) games to go, and second spot (Saudi Arabia) is on four points at the moment, so it’s not like it’s a disaster, but I’ve got to go home and do a lot of thinking,” Arnold said.