Australia has secured a dominant 5-1 victory over Indonesia in AFC World Cup qualifiers, enhancing their chances of qualifying for the World Cup. Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert faced a challenging debut as Indonesia coach. Goals from Martin Boyle, Nishan Velupillay, Jackson Irvine, and Lewis Miller capped Australia’s performance, placing them four points ahead of Indonesia in the standings.
In the AFC World Cup qualifiers, Australia achieved a significant 5-1 victory against Indonesia, marking a disheartening debut for Dutch coach Patrick Kluivert. This win enhances Australia’s prospects of securing the second spot in Group C, trailing only Japan, thereby moving closer to qualifying for the 48-team World Cup scheduled in North America next year.
The match commenced energetically at Sydney Football Stadium, where Indonesia missed an early penalty. Australia capitalized on this, with Martin Boyle converting a spot-kick and Nishan Velupillay scoring shortly thereafter, establishing a commanding lead within the first 20 minutes. A brace from Jackson Irvine and an additional goal by Lewis Miller finalized the impressive scoreline.
Post-match, Irvine expressed satisfaction, stating, “The result today was very important and the fact that we did it with five goals, really pleased.” However, Australian captain Mat Ryan noted some reservations: “I think the scoreline flatters us a little bit, to be honest… if they put one of them away, it could have been a different game.”
Australia’s victory was pivotal for Tony Popovic’s squad, placing them with 10 points, four ahead of Indonesia as they approach the crucial away match against China next week. While Saudi Arabia and China both have six points, only the top two teams from the group will qualify directly for the World Cup, with further rounds of qualification for the lower-ranked teams.
The match highlighted the challenges facing Kluivert, appointed earlier this year after the dismissal of Shin Tae-yong. His side must now prepare for an essential win against Bahrain if they wish to reach the World Cup for the first time since gaining independence in 1945. Notably, Australia played without several key players due to injuries yet still managed to perform remarkably against a team with numerous players of Dutch descent, naturalized to represent Indonesia. Australia’s offensive prowess was evident as they efficiently converted opportunities after Indonesia’s early strengths in the game.
In summary, Australia’s decisive 5-1 victory over Indonesia not only enhances their World Cup qualification prospects but also poses significant challenges for Kluivert’s newly appointed team. The match showcased both teams’ abilities, with Australia capitalizing on their opportunities and Indonesia struggling with missed chances. As the qualifiers progress, Australia’s momentum will be crucial as they prepare for upcoming matches, while Indonesia faces a critical showdown to maintain their World Cup hopes.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
