The Socceroos moved a step closer to securing their passage to the next round of qualifiers with a commanding 7-0 rout of Tajikistan at Adelaide Oval on Thursday.
Australia strolled to a convincing victory against the Persian Lions thanks to goals from Massimo Luongo, Mile Jedinak, Mark Milligan and braces from Nathan Burns and Tom Rogic.
Luongo opened the scoring for the hosts with a lowly-driven strike from outside the box, following a neat assist from on-debut Socceroo Giannou Apostolos.
One quickly became two with Giannou again involved in the action after he was fouled in the area, leaving captain Mile Jedinak to comfortably convert the ensuing penalty.
But the Aussies wasted a procession of opportunities to put the game to bed by half-time with Jedinak, Mathew Leckie and Giannou all guilty of missing clear-cut chances.
The second-half continued in a similar fashion with Australia absolutely dominating possession and made it 3-0 through Milligan’s spot-kick, following another indiscretion on Giannou.
Burns, a former Adelaide United player, added another with a simple tap in, before Rogic was credited with the fifth goal of the match, despite his volley appearing to not have crossed the line.
The Celtic starlet netted a second minutes later with an emphatic finish past the hapless Tuychiev.
Burns compounded the misery for the visitors with a clinical header to make it 7-0 in front of 35 439 spectators.
Australia
Mathew Ryan – 6: Was rarely troubled and had little to do – touched the ball maybe five times.
Ryan McGowan – 6: The Adelaide boy was seldom tested and snuffed out the scarce danger that was in front of him.
Trent Sainsbury – 6: A rather easy game for the defender who was hardly called upon to make any interventions.
Bailey Wright – 6: Just like Sainsbury and McGowan, was comfortable in possession, but virtually never had to make any defensive interceptions.
READ MORE: Twitter reacts as the Socceroos cruise past Tajikistan 7-0
Brad Smith – 6.5: Ventured forward on occasions and provided a number of intriguing crosses into the box.
Mile Jedinak – 6: Another resolute performance in the centre of the park and nonchalantly dispatched his penalty.
Massimo Luongo – 7: Demonstrated aptness on the ball in tight areas as his passing game was a sight to behold and capped of a wonderful showing with the goal that ignited the onslaught.
Aaron Mooy – 7.5: The 25-year-old translated his excellent form with Melbourne City into the Socceroos with a brilliant display and was involved in a couple of the goals.
Nathan Burns – 7: Netted a brace, but also missed a plethora of chances. However, the two goals will do the 27-year-old a great deal of confidence.
Apostolos Giannou – 6.5: The man who switched his allegiance from Greece to Australia proved a handful for the Tajikistan defence throughout the encounter, and was unlucky not to have been rewarded a goal.
Mathew Leckie – 6.5: Caused the opposition defence all sorts of problems, but lacked composure in front of goal as he was synonymous with profligacy all night.
Substitutes
Mark Milligan – 6.5: Replaced Jedinak at the interval and put in a solid display controlling the midfield and also slotted a penalty to boot.
Tom Rogic – 7.5: Immediately captured the imagination of the home fans with a brilliant outing, scoring two goals off the bench.
Robbie Kruse – 6: Superseded Leckie and smashed the crossbar with a thunderous effort.
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