Kusini Yengi scores in stoppage-time to ensure the Socceroos avoid defeat against Bahrain

Kusini Yengi scored twice as the Socceroos narrowly avoided what would have been a costly loss to Bahrain.

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic admits his team can ill-afford poor results in March against Indonesia and China after a stoppage-time equaliser from Kusini Yengi saved Australia from complete disaster in Riffa against Bahrain.

Leading 1-0 deep into the second-half, the Australians conceded twice in the space of two minutes through a brace from Bahrain substitute Mahdi Abduljabbar before Yengi’s second goal of the contest ensured the FIFA World Cup qualifier finished in a 2-2 draw.

The point moved the Socceroos into second spot, nine points behind Group C leaders Japan, in the third-round of AFC World Cup qualifiers.

However, second place, which brings with it automatic qualification to the 2026 World remains well and truly up for grabs, with four teams – Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China – only one point behind Australia.

We remain in second spot in Group C after playing our final match of 2024.

📅 Up next: Indonesia and China in March 2025.#Socceroospic.twitter.com/oTEEBZia0J

— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 19, 2024

The Socceroos meet Indonesia at home on March 20 and China away five days later before finished their third-round qualifying campaign in June against Japan (home) and Saudi Arabia (away).

“Everyone’s taking points off each other but we find ourselves in second place, a point in front (of Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China) and we’ve got to make sure that March is a very good window for us.” Popovic said.

“The last four games, we’ve won a game and had three draws. We would have liked to have won another game at least, which would have put us in a much better position but we’re second on the (Group C) table, very different to where we were four games ago.

“We have to look forward and our goal is to make the World Cup.”

While the draw in Riffa was better than nothing, the Socceroos should have put the game to bed before Bahrain’s second-half fightback.

The visitors made a dream start, going ahead inside the first minute through Yengi,

Called into the starting side at the expense of veteran marksman Mitch Duke, Yengi pounced on a weak back pass from Bahrain defender Sayed Baqer before rounding goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla and guiding the ball into the back of the net.

Yengi should have doubled Australia’s lead in the 24th minute after being fed by midfielder Riley McGree but he was foiled by Lutfalla.

Chances continued to fall Yengi’s way, with the woodwork denying the Portsmouth striker on the hour mark,

A poor first-touch soon after proved costly for Yengi when he had another good opportunity to increase Australia’s lead.

Bahrain then had a chance to equaliser in the 64th-minute but Ebrahim Al-Khatal’s goal-bound shot was well blocked by Socceroos defender Cameron Burgess.

However, the Bahrainis found an equaliser in the 75th minute through a spectacular 40-metre effort from Abduljabbar.

The midfielder pounced on defender Burgess’ clumsy attempt to control a long ball with a speculative strike that caught recalled goalkeeper Mat Ryan off his line as it sailed into the back of the net.

Kusini Yengi slides the ball past Bahrain goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla to give Australia the lead. Picture: Christopher Pike/Getty Images

Worse to follow in the 77th minute when Abduljabbar netted from close range after a cross from Mahdi Al-Humaidan was deflected on to the post by debutant Socceroos defender Hayden Matthews.

Abduljabbar was first to the rebound, with his second of the contest putting Australia on the brink of disaster.

However, Yengi’s late goal from close range ensured the points were shared.

“A lot of things happened in the match,” Popovic said.

“Taking the lead early was great, we had some really good chances to make it 2-0 in the second-half which we didn’t capitalise on, then we gave away a couple of goals quickly and then we showed some great character to come back.”

Popovic made six changes to the side that started in last Thursday’s 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia in Melbourne

38 SECONDS!!!!!

What a start by Kusini Yengi, poaching on an early mistake to give the @Socceroos the absolute dream start 🫨

Catch all the action of #BHRvAUS live and exclusive on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/dh6b6F4tRv

— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) November 19, 2024

Captain and goalkeeper Ryan started for the first time since September’s departure of former coach Graham Arnold, replacing Joe Gauci, who had been the Socceroos’ gloveman in the first three games of Tony Popovic’s reign as national boss.

Sydney FC’s 20-year-old defender Matthews was given his Socceroos debut, coming into the side for Melbourne Victory’s Jason Geria.

Matthews’ Sydney teammate Anthony Caceres, who made his maiden national team appearance off the bench last week, also started, being preferred to Belgium-based midfielder Aiden O’Neill.

Melbourne City skipper Aziz Behich was another of the squad’s A-League brigade given a start, with former City left-back Jordy Bos dropping back to the bench.

Further forward, Craig Goodwin returned from suspension to displace Ajdin Hrustic from the starting side, while Portsmouth attacker Yengi was given the selection nod ahead of Duke.