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The victory gives Australia a four-point lead over Indonesia in the tight race
Published : 20 Mar 2025, 06:46 PM
Australia rode an early storm before rallying for a comfortable 5-1 win over Patrick Kluivert's Indonesia in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday to solidify second place in Asian Group C behind runaway leaders Japan.
Jackson Irvine scored in each half, Martin Boyle netted a penalty, while Nishan Velupillay and Lewis Miller also found the target as the Socceroos took their chances to give their goal difference a hefty boost.
The victory gave Australia a four-point lead over Indonesia in the tight race for second place in the group and a ticket to the 2026 finals, although Saudi Arabia, China and Bahrain could cut their advantage to a single point again later on Thursday.
"Any time you score five goals is pleasing and when you do it in the pressure of World Cup qualifying it's what you want to be part of," said Australia coach Tony Popovic, who takes his team to China for their next qualifier on Tuesday.
"I'm positive, very excited about the next game, honoured and proud of what I saw tonight."
Indonesia, roared on by the local expatriate community who drowned out Socceroos fans in the 35,000 crowd, will rue Kevin Diks blasting his early penalty against the woodwork and had to settle for a late consolation from debutant striker Ole Romeny.
"If you shoot the penalty, it will be a totally different match," Kluivert told reporters.
"I think that we fought like lions, we never dropped our heads. But I'm very disappointed with the result, not only for us but for everybody who was supporting us."
Indonesia, who had one home-grown player in the starting lineup as they continued to embrace players from their diaspora, have had only had three training sessions with Kluivert since the former Netherlands striker took over in January.
PENALTY MISS
Indonesia made their intentions clear from the start on a balmy evening at Sydney Football Stadium by tearing forward at every opportunity and winning pretty much every 50-50 ball.
Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan had to be at his best to push a header from Indonesia skipper Jay Idzes over the bar in the fifth minute and two minutes later he was facing a penalty.
Kye Rowles was adjudged to have fouled striker Rafael Struick in the box but defender Diks slammed his spot-kick against the top of the right-hand post.
Boyle produced a much cooler finish to give Australia the lead 11 minutes later after VAR intervened to punish Indonesia's Nathan Tjoe-A-On for pulling back Miller at a corner.
Two minutes later, Adam Taggart's ballooning through ball set Velupillay free on goal and the young winger calmly lifted the ball over Maarten Paes in the Indonesia goal.
Paes made a fine save from Irvine in the 34th minute but the experienced Australia midfielder would not be denied twice and lashed the rebound into the back of the net.
Indonesia continued to find space down the flanks but the final ball was often lacking and Miller put Australia further ahead just after the hour mark with a low header from Craig Goodwin's corner.
Romeny, who plays in England for Oxford United, finally got the goal Indonesia deserved with a cool finish 12 minutes from time only for Irvine to score Australia's fifth with a header after 90 minutes.
