‘We owe them’: Socceroos out to settle score with team that dented World Cup ambitions

Jason Geria watched the Socceroos’ disaster-class against Bahrain two months ago on television. The thought that he could be involved in the rematch was so far from his mind it was utterly fanciful – not because he didn’t think he was capable, but because he assumed that ship had sailed long ago.

“I’ve always believed in my abilities,” he said.

“The feeling sort of wasn’t completely there, that I might be able to contribute. But I’ve always felt like I’ve had something to give. And I’ve always followed the national team ... I remember watching that game, and it seemed like a frustrating night for the guys. [Bahrain] get a lucky deflection, and then it’s pretty hard to take. Us as a group, we owe them a performance.”

Three caps into his international career, Geria looks as if he’s been there for a decade. That’s how assured the 31-year-old has looked on the right-hand side of Australia’s new-look back three – next to human colossus Harry Souttar and Premier League defender Cameron Burgess – where he has remained since being parachuted in at half-time of his debut against China last month by Tony Popovic, his former club coach.

“I was aware of Jason for a long time,” Souttar said. “Obviously, I’d never played with him until he came into camp – and then he came on second half against China, and I thought he was excellent. His first action of the game was beating their striker, left winger and wrapping a pass into the 10. And I went, ‘Oh, here we go.’”

The Melbourne Victory star is also yet to taste defeat in green and gold, and is aiming to keep it that way.

Australia and Bahrain let fly at each other in their World Cup qualifier in September.Credit: Getty Images

The Socceroos have taken five points from their three games so far under Popovic: two draws and a win, with Thursday night’s 0-0 stalemate against Saudi Arabia not advancing their World Cup qualifying hopes, while also not setting them back too dramatically.

It just means their next one – on Wednesday morning (AEDT) against Bahrain in Riffa – is another absolute must-win.

Jason Geria leaps for a header against Saudi Arabia.Credit: Getty Images

When Socceroos players awoke on Friday, there was a gift waiting for them on their phones. It was China’s upset 1-0 win over Bahrain, which continues the topsy-turvy nature of results in Group C. Japan are the runaway leaders, but second spot – and direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup – is still well and truly up for grabs for whichever team is good enough to seize it.

Australia have certainly had their chances to do so, but all is not yet lost.

“This group is really tight,” Geria said. “China did us a bit of a favour. But I still think we have to focus on just winning our games.”

The team was due to fly out late on Friday with no clarity over the condition of Geria’s Victory teammate Nishan Velupillay, who came on in the second half and helped turn the tide against Saudi Arabia but was forced off prematurely with an ankle injury. Asked post-match about whether he would replace him in his squad, Popovic said he hadn’t thought that far ahead, but he will at least have the fresh legs of Craig Goodwin to call upon after he served his one-match suspension.

While Goodwin’s exquisite left foot will be helpful at set pieces and the like, the Socceroos’ age-old problem has not gone away: putting the ball in the back of the net. At least four clear-cut chances went begging at AAMI Park, with a lack of match conditioning and general lack of confidence in front of goal clearly evident.

The plus side, Geria reckons, is that they are at least creating chances.

“We have the quality, I believe, in our attacking players. It just didn’t fall for us,” he said.

“But I think the good thing is we’re creating them – whether by our creation or … off our press last night, which is another really positive thing that the guys are working hard to shut down opposition.

“So we’re creating chances in different ways. [We] easily could have scored one or two, and today is a different headline for the game. I believe in our strikers, and I’m sure they’re going to start scoring goals soon.”

Further back in Geria’s mind, meanwhile, is the possibility that his excellent start to life with the Socceroos could attract overseas interest. He spent three years on the books of Japanese club JEF United Chiba before returning to the A-League and is open to heading abroad again for the right opportunity.

“Getting to play with Harry and Cam especially … Cam’s just come off playing against Tottenham, Harry’s doing really good things in the [English] Championship. Even though they’re younger than me, I’m learning a lot off them,” he said. “I’m just taking everything in my stride. And if those opportunities come, they come.”

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