‘One of the best in history’: Socceroos stunner sends Australia into meltdown

The Socceroos’ World dream is still alive after a miraculous strike at the death that sent Australian football fans into a frenzy.

Ajdin Hrustic scored a stunner. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)

Australia will play Peru next week for a place in the World Cup after a nerve-racking 2-1 win over the UAE on Wednesday morning.

Defeat in Doha would have killed off the Socceroos’ hopes of competing in Qatar later this year but they don’t need to contemplate that prospect just yet.

Ajdin Hrustic’s wonder strike 10 minutes from time gave the Aussies a one-goal advantage, which they managed to hold onto and set up a sudden death clash with Peru. If they win that game, Graham Arnold’s men will be on their way to a fifth straight World Cup.

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“You have that moment of elation when the final whistle goes but straight away your focus (shifts), it’s only halftime (in the qualification play-off process),” Jackson Irvine said as the Socceroos turn their attention to their next do-or-die encounter.

“It’s a great result for us tonight. We go into the week full of confidence but the job is only half done.”

Arnold added he was “proud of the boys”.

“We knew they’d sit back and we didn’t want to play a game where we opened the field up too much because they’ve got some quality players,” the coach said.

“We’ll improve even more for the next game.

“Overall I thought that defensively we were good and I saw a good reaction tonight. That’s what I’ve been driving to the boys ever since I came into camp about the Aussie DNA and that is kick, fight, scratch and do whatever you can to win the game.

“However we win it, who cares, just win it.”

Ajdin Hrustic was the hero. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)

With the score locked at 1-1, Australia pressed forward in the dying stages and its sustained pressure finally paid off in the 83rd minute. The ball was headed away from a corner but only as far as the edge of the area, where Hrustic unleashed a ferocious bullet of a first-time volley.

It looked to be heading straight towards goalkeeper Khalid Eisa but took a fortunate deflection into the back of the net from a UAE defender, who didn’t have time to get out of the way because the shot was travelling so quickly.

In commentary for Channel 10, Andy Harper said Hrustic “unleashed a nuclear weapon on the UAE goal”.

Social media went into meltdown over Hrustic’s remarkable strike.

PointsBet Australia tweeted “even NASA would be impressed with that rocket” while Robert Grasso wrote: “What a goal!!!!! One of the best in @Socceroos history given what’s on the line. Thunderbolt on the volley from Hrustic and deflection. Superb! Just superb.”

Former professional footballer Rob Cornthwaite tweeted: “Get in! What a pure volley!”

HRUSTIC PERFECT CONNECTION 2-1!!!!!!!! #UAEvAUSpic.twitter.com/NJUj6d2PJr

— Evan Morgan Grahame (@Evan_M_G) June 7, 2022

What a player Hrustic is 🔥 #UAEvAUS

— Lucas Rinaldo (@LucasRinaldo7) June 7, 2022

Australia drew first blood seven minutes into the second half. A scrappy turnover high up the pitch saw Martin Boyle find possession then show a nice turn of speed to burn past a couple of defenders into the box from the right wing.

He slid in a pass that found Jackson Irvine, who had ghosted towards the near post and he turned the ball in neatly with his first touch from close range.

The joy didn’t last long though. Less than three minutes after Irvine’s strike the UAE hit back with an equaliser.

Harib Abdalla Suhail, the UAE’s most potent attacking weapon all match, caused havoc down the left, skinning Bailey Wright and whipping in a cross. The ball ricocheted off Irvine, who couldn’t clear the danger because his line of sight was blocked, and Caio Canedo fired home into the roof of the net to make it 1-1.

Just past the hour mark Australia had a golden opportunity to re-take the lead, only for an unmarked Craig Goodwin to knock his first-time shot over the bar from metres out when he drifted into the back post and received a lovely cross from Irvine.

The UAE then had another chance themselves when they streamed forward into the box, but some desperate blocking prevented them getting a meaningful shot away.

Craig Goodwin missed from close range.

With 20 minutes to go, Arnold made an attacking change by replacing Goodwin with A-League golden boot winner Jamie Maclaren in the hope of providing some more spark and finding the go-ahead goal.

He nearly made an immediate impact too, but copped a tough bounce when Aziz Behich drilled a ball towards the penalty spot from the left by-line. Maclaren couldn’t get a shot away and the ball went past the post when it rebounded off Boyle, who was also hunting in the area.

Ten minutes later Maclaren was again in the thick of the action, benefiting from a superb short pass from Hrustic after a clever interaction with Boyle and belting a first-time shot on goal, forcing a strong save from Eisa.

Enter Hrustic, who then saved the day with his absolute rocket.

Arnold’s men started proceedings cautiously, perhaps taking a conservative approach after suffering two late blows before kick-off when Trent Sainsbury and Adam Taggart were ruled out with injury.

Goodwin’s free kick from just outside the area was dealt with comfortably by Eisa and the men in green and gold eased into their work, looking the slicker of the two outfits early.

Boyle showed enterprise with the ball but the first 30 minutes were characterised by a sense both teams were trying not to lose the match, rather than trying to win it.

Aaron Mooy was back pulling the strings in midfield and made a noticeable difference as much of the Socceroos’ attack moved through the classy 31-year-old.

The UAE were happy to sit back but started to throw some punches in the final 15 minutes of the first half. Ali Mabkhout started to emerge as more of a presence in the front third but Australia had the best chance of the half, only for an unmarked Kye Rowles to mistime his header.

Mat Ryan was forced to make a strong save at his near post when Harib Suhail Al Maazmi burst into the box from the left flank as Nathaniel Atkinson struggled at right back in the opening stanza.

The lack of attacking spark from Australia left plenty of viewers on social media frustrated at halftime.

Football presenter and reporter Michelle Escobar tweeted: “Both teams are so cautious and it’s making for a dire game. One of the worst Socceroos performances. So painful to watch.”

Graham Arnold’s plan appears to be to put everyone to sleep and somehow score? #UAEvAUS#ArnoldOut

— Chris Hockman (@ChrisHSport) June 7, 2022

The UAE being just as bad as the Socceroos during extended periods of possession is doing little to make this game a spectacle. #UAEvAUS

— Joey Lynch (@joeylynchy) June 7, 2022

Our two most advanced midfielders only ever touch the ball when they are standing next to the sideline. Be brave! #UAEvAUS

— Rob Cornthwaite (@robcornthwaite) June 7, 2022

That first half was painful, painful viewing.

Suspect defensively and void of any attacking creativity or threat.z

Arnie Ball 🙃#UAEvAUS

— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) June 7, 2022

For such a big game, this is such an average one so far. Both teams battling to carve out a meaningful attacking ball. So many passes overhit.

Got to take a chance when it presents because it doesn’t feel like there‘ll be too many. Can’t afford a defensive error. #UAEvAUS ⚽️🇦🇺

— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) June 7, 2022

Bailey Wright and Rowles started in the centre of defence because of Sainsbury’s absence, meaning the Aussies were featuring a pairing at the back not used before in this World Cup qualifying campaign.

Originally published as ‘One of the best in history’: Socceroos stunner sends Australia into meltdown