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Written by Martin Graham | June 9, 2022
Australia set a crucial final date with Perox for a place in the FIFA World Cup after a crucial late goal from Agden Hrustek to silence UAE fans at Al Rayyan Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium.
Emirati midfielder Ali Samin will curse his luck after blocking a hit from a hirostik that led to the decisive goal in the match. Australia are now just one match away from booking their fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup™ ticket.
The Australians started scoring with Jackson Irvine, who fired from close range in the 53rd minute. Cayo Canedo equalized for the hosts with a powerful shot at Matthew Ryan.
The Australians raised their tempo in the second half and were largely frustrated for most of the half, but their pressure finally paid off when Hrustek curled the ball into the net in the closing minutes of the match.
The Emirati boys had their own opportunities, and Abdullah Sohail was the main threat causing all sorts of problems for the Australian back line. The striker was hit twice by Matthew Ryan in his near post as the first half was empty.
Emirati goalkeeper Issa made some impressive saves to deny Australia the two halves. Most notable of them all was the shock he cut to block substitute Jimmy McClaren in the 80th minute. But he was powerless to deny Hrustic four minutes later.
It has been a blissful outing for Australia already eyeing its South American rival Peru, which is expected to put up an even tougher fight.
“We showed a good character, and I think we controlled the majority of the match and took chances when they came,” said Martin Boyle, the Australian winger. “It’s only half a job. We have to dust ourselves off, get ready and we’ll go again.”
The Australians are hoping for a lighter effort from the Peruvians rather than the drudgery they faced in the match against the United Arab Emirates.
The match will be held on June 14, and the winner will move to Group D to face France, Denmark and Tunisia.
Martin Graham is a sports writer for the MFF Forum
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