Australia are set to record a 2-1 friendly win over Jordan from behind as they prepare for next week’s World Cup qualifiers that will determine whether Socceroos 2022 reach Qatar.
Musa al-Tamari gave Jordan the lead with a powerful long-range strike 17 minutes later, only to have to peg before the break through Bailey Wright’s header from a free kick.
It was an immediate reversal of fortune for Wright, who, if he had a VAR, would have considered a penalty for Australia’s 2-0 downfall.
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Australia came close to starting the second half with a free kick from Aaron Muay, but had to wait another 15 minutes before taking the lead.
Again, it came from a set piece – the first and second shots were not cleared after a corner, before the house was pushed out of range near the Hour Mabel.
Dennis Genreau made it nearly three times full-time, but somehow it was a positive building block before next week’s must-win clash with the UAE.
What will be most heartening for Graham Arnold is that his team was able to win from behind – something he lacked during his tenure.
“I think this is the first time we’ve been back since I was in charge,” he said.
“I’m happy for tonight’s work rate, chase and fight for the ball and the second ball. We probably couldn’t have played a better game than this.”
Australia will face the United Arab Emirates in a singles match at AEST Qatar next Wednesday at 4am, with the winner advancing to another sudden death match against Peru six days later, earning a place in the World Cup on the line.
“We’ll go back and review the game, and there’s still a lot of work to be done,” Arnold said.
“The good news is, as I said at the start of the camp, this is the longest time I’ve been able to coach them.
“We have six more days before the UAE game and no days off, that’s all there is to it, and we’ll do everything right.”
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