Australia Men's National Football Team -Getty Images
It was an important away win for Bahrain and a disappointing evening at home for the Socceroos. Australia national football team saw most of the ball throughout the duration of the game, but couldn’t manage to put the ball in the back of the net.
Australia men’s national soccer team had 71% of possession, while Bahrain only managed to have the ball for 29% of the match. Bahrain who defended well held the Australian attack to only 3 shots on target in the entirety of the game, and the Socceroos also had their attacking plans a bit shaken when their main man Yengi caught the chin of Bahrain defender Sayed.
When Yengi attempted to mimic the fall and made contact with Sayed Baqer’s chin with his foot, the Bahraini defender dropped into a heap and writhed in agony. Yengi was sent off for the incident. But this call was supported by the replay, unlike several of his teammates who, in an effort to draw fouls and annoy the fans, resorted to diving and play-acting on multiple other instances.
Yengi will miss the Socceroos’ next qualifier against Indonesia on Tuesday night due to an automatic suspension, and Arnold will have a lot on his mind throughout the voyage. The Socceroos will depart for Jakarta on Friday.
Australia player ratings vs Bahrain
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Matthew Ryan (6.9/10): Ryan had a relatively quiet evening having to make only one save which happens to be Bahrain’s only shot on target out of the 3 shots fired.
Alessandro Circati (7.2/10): Circati was solid on the right flank of the pitch defensively, winning 5 out of 7 ground duels and offensively having attempted twice at goal.
Harry Souttar (7.1/10): Aside the unfortunate deflection that gave the game away to Bahrain, Souttar was good on the ball, with 123 touches he completed 96 of 108 passes during the match, with 7 clearances on the night
Kye Rowles (6.9/10): Kye completed 90% of his passes having had 112 touches, and proved solid in the air winning 2 out of 3 Aerial duels in the game.
Aziz Behich (6.2/10): Played the full 90 minutes and made an impact overloading the midfield and also good on defense, good outing for him.
Midfielders
Jackson Irvine (7/10): Jackson almost found the net with a single shot on target, 2 accurate long balls and completing 83% of his passes.
Aiden O’Neill (6.6/10) Aiden tried to influence the match giving 3 out of 4 crosses accurately and also working tirelessly in the midfield completing 93% of his passes.
Conor Metcalfe (6/10): Conor had a frustrating evening with none of his crosses connecting, and only completing 76% of his passes.
Attackers
Martin Boyle (6.7/10): Not his best outing, completed only 38% of his passes, and with 0 attempts on goal, he was eventually substituted early into the second half
Craig Godwin (7.4/10): Craig struggled to influence the game from the left wing, creating 2 big chances while giving 3 key passes.
Kusini Yengi (6.0/10): Not the best day in the office for the socceroos target man, having no shots on target and getting sent off. Yengi had an 88% pass accuracy in 21 touches, and will miss the next game due to suspension.
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Coach Rating
Graham Arnold (7.0/10):
Graham’s early substitution of Boyle in the second half proved to be a great idea, Nestory almost scored with his second shot, while bringing in a new energy against a very disciplined Bahrain defence. Also the introduction of Mabil helped the team tremendously as he provided two accurate long balls and gave 3 key passes. Graham will have to regroup and try to bring out the best of this team offensively in the next game.
