The Socceroos left the pitch in Hangzhou feeling a mix of pride and disappointment following their 2-0 victory over China, which was somewhat overshadowed by Japan’s unexpected draw with Saudi Arabia. The Australian team needed both a win against China and a defeat for Saudi Arabia to extend their lead in Group C to six points. However, the 0-0 draw achieved by Saudi Arabia means Australia now only has a three-point buffer over them, making it crucial for the Socceroos to secure at least four points from their final two matches against Saudi Arabia and Japan to ensure qualification.
Despite the result, there was a spark in the Socceroos’ performance as they quickly took control of the match. Jackson Irvine opened the scoring with a well-placed left-footed shot within the first 16 minutes, setting a confident tone. Their lead was doubled in the 29th minute when Nishan Velupillay capitalised on a mistake by Chinese goalkeeper Dalei Wang, who failed to handle the shot cleanly.
China came out stronger in the second half, pressing hard for a goal, but the Socceroos’ defense held strong, preserving the clean sheet. While the crowd in attendance was significant, the atmosphere turned subdued as the final whistle signalled the 2-0 win.
This victory marked the second win for Australia in this international window, following a resounding 5-1 triumph over Indonesia. Player of the match Jackson Irvine praised the team’s efforts, expressing satisfaction with their mentality and performance throughout the matches. He acknowledged the importance of these games and the collective effort from all involved in the campaign.
Looking ahead, as Japan has already secured their position in the World Cup with a seven-point lead over Australia, the Socceroos will need to control their destiny in the upcoming fixtures. As echoed by commentator Simon Hill, they approach the June window with everything still to play for, aware that hard work will be required to seal their qualification.