Australia’s national soccer team is one step closer to the World Cup finals in Qatar.
In the fourth qualifying round of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the Socceroos beat the United Arab Emirates 2-1 (0-0) on Tuesday. Australia now meets Peru in the decisive duel for World Cup participation.
Jackson Irvine (53′) from FC St. Pauli gave the Australian national team the lead shortly after the break, but Caio Canedo (57′) equalized shortly afterwards. In the closing stages, Ajdin Hrustic (84′), who triumphed in the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt last month, then scored the decisive goal.
The game was played on neutral ground in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Thanks to the success, the Australian selection will meet Peru, fifth-placed in the South American relay, in the intercontinental play-offs on June 13. For Australia it would be the fifth World Cup in a row.