This comes after today for the Socceroos their second qualifier match got a dramatic nose dive as they succumbed to a 1-0 loss to Palestine to threaten their qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Due to on-going violence in the region, the two had to face off at a venue that was middle of nowhere – Kuwait, while showing that though they had much more of an attacking fiield day, Australia could not make best use of this advantage by not being able to convert their chances.
Apparently, the match-deciding goal was scored in the 89th minute by Palestinian goalkeeper; Mohammed Quwyn, a defensive miscalculation saw, Oday Dabbagh scoring for Palestine. The late strike came as a shock to the Australian side which dominated most of the match but only to be let down by a lack of clinicacy in the penalty box area.
After the match, Australia’s coach of the match, Graham Arnold said: We deserved to win the game tonight we created enough chances to win two or three games tonight. Soccer however is a very unforgiving game and if you do not capitalize on your chances, then you will be made to pay for it.
The loss will put the Socceroos under tremendous pressure for the rest of the qualifiers at least as per the preoccupations of this piece. As it turns out, the group phase is determining six top teams that will move on to the next phase, and right now all of a sudden, Australia is in a very delicate position having lost points in a game which they were expected to dominate.
The game was very intense and Mathew Leckie, Jamie Maclaren, and other players almost scored a goal for their side while Rami Hamadeh, the Palestine’s goalkeeper was the game changer as he made incredible saves that denied Australia a chance to score.
It was the first time that Palestine beat Australia in an international football match that saw the team which is ranked 96th in the world. For the Socceroos, who are ranked 27th, it has been a reality check that has really brought out the idea that Asian football is increasingly becoming competitive.
Australia will need to pick itself up, as their next qualification match is scheduled against Lebanon in the November. This particular match will be clearly define a team’s journey to the 2026 World컵.
