The final hurdle now awaits for the Socceroos, demolishing Harry Redknapp’s Jordan 5-1 to comprehensively book their place in the group stage that really counts on road to Russia 2018.
The opening stages were incredibly nervy on a wet, soggy Allianz Stadium surface. Jordan set their stall out early to help elevate tension levels, with passes going astray and chances on goal coming at a premium.
Then the hosts began to flex their muscle. Leckie lifted for a header before Rogic’s close touch and control forced a great save from the Jordanian stopper.
The magic moment arrived when Mooy and Kruse combined to put the ball on a tea for Tim Cahill, tapping inside the six-yard box to score arguably his easiest of the 46 he has managed in green and gold. That began a scoring avalanche as the hosts went on to score four more, with only a late consolation putting a dampener on the party.
While the level of the visitors was far below par, the combination of Rogic and Mooy in the centre of the park was mouth-watering. Perhaps under far more difficult circumstances it has to be one or the other, but against weaker Asian opposition, these two are a deadly pair.
Australia
Mathew Ryan – 6.5: Only touched the ball a handful of times, one of which was picking the ball out the back of the net late on. Silky distribution as always but barely broke a sweat.
Josh Risdon – 6: Final delivery badly let the Perth Glory right-back down. Had impressed up until Tuesday night, but Socceroos full-backs under Ange have to provide a threat in the final third – that is just the new reality. Still cannot question his attitude and intent yet if he wants that spot for himself we need to see more.
Trent Sainsbury – 6.5: Saved Australia’s blushes with a crucial block in the 23rd minute when an offside trap went badly wrong. Looked very comfortable, sometimes a bit too much.
Baily Wright – 6.5: Wright is at his most comfortable heading balls away and out-muscling defenders. Playing out from the back and reading play on the other hand, not so much. There is nothing wrong with an industrious centre-half but in the absence of Matt Spiranovic, Wright is certainly the Ying to Sainsbury’s Yang.
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Brad Smith – 7.5: Andy Harper in the call referenced his terrific physical capacity, running up and down the left touchline with ease. 180 minutes over five days for a guy that is not playing regular first team football is outstanding.
Mark Milligan – 6.5: Quiet achiever. Passed when he had to, screened the back four when required. With a midfield trio including Mooy and Rogic, Milligan is the unspectacular edition that the Socceroos need in that spot for balance.
Tom Rogic – 8: The great NBA and AFL players have size and reach – athleticism that separates them from the pack. Rogic is a tremendous specimen in football because of those lanky legs, he can trap and control a ball beyond where normal players can. The goals and the shots were one thing, but the difference in skill between him and his Jordanian contemporaries were something to witness.
Aaron Mooy – 8.5: Sixty-four minutes of master class midfield play. Best on ground in Adelaide, backing it up with a polished display from top to bottom. Quickly becoming Ange’s greatest asset.
Robbie Kruse – 8: A trio of assists – and that was just the first half! A sight for sore eyes for Socceroos fans, coming back from a cruelling injury that threatened to put an end to a promising career. Butchered shortly before coming off but thankfully he walked away to tell the tale.
Tim Cahill – 7.5: A brace and a missed chance to get the hat-trick. A lot of talk about Giannou getting another go up front but when a result was needed, Australia was always going to turn to one man, regardless of his age and current club career.
Mathew Leckie – 6: Battled hard before being replaced in the 64th minute. Lots of pace, energy and athleticism yet it seems like fans are still in a holding position until he bursts out to become a star.
Substitutes
Chris Ikonomidis – 6: Introduced in the 64th minute during a double substitution. Looked lively without making any significant contribution.
Massimo Luongo – 7: Came on in the second half to smash in from close range in the 70th minute. Was a friendly reminder how competitive this squad is, almost becoming a forgotten man with Rogic and Mooy lighting things up in his spot.
Nathan Burns – N/A: Came on for a ginger Robbie Kruse in the 72nd minute. Put the ball on a dime for Cahill in the 87th minute, so should have had an assist next to his name.
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