The Socceroos' World Cup qualifying campaign took another tumultuous turn on Wednesday morning, as they managed to escape with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Bahrain. Coach Tony Popovic's men faced criticism after nearly suffering what would have been deemed an embarrassing setback, highlighting once again the rollercoaster of emotions surrounding Australian football.
Just 38 seconds after the whistle, Kusini Yengi capitalized on a defensive blunder to propel Australia to an early lead. His moment of brilliance, which came from intercepting a weak back pass from Bahrain's Sayed Baqer, brought immediate excitement to Socceroos fans who were eagerly watching from home.
Despite taking the lead, Australia struggled to maintain momentum. Fans who had set their alarms for the 5 AM kickoff were frustrated not just with the team's performance but also by the fact the match was exclusively broadcast on streaming service Paramount Plus, leaving many without access to the action.
After going up early, the Socceroos seemed content to play conservatively. The first half was particularly lackluster, with Australia showing little creativity and appearing overly cautious. Their reluctance to push forward and create clear chances led to mounting anxiety among supporters.
Embroiled amid rising tensions, the second half saw Australia’s performance wane significantly. What would emerge was not just the struggle to hold onto the lead—but the vulnerability of the defense. Mahdi Abduljabbar, who had come off the bench, turned the game upside down, scoring his first goal with what has been described as an outrageous 45-yard chip shot from the edge of the box. This brilliant strike leveled the match at 1-1 with just 15 minutes remaining.
Just two minutes later, disaster struck again for the Socceroos. Abduljabbar pounced on another defensive mishap—this time, debutant Hayden Matthews misjudged a header, inadvertently redirecting the ball back toward the goal. It ricocheted off the post before falling perfectly for Abduljabbar, who seized the opportunity and restored Bahrain's hopes by giving them the lead.
Once seemingly firmly grasping victory, the Socceroos now found themselves staring down the barrel of defeat. Yet, the team's determination was not easily quelled. Fighting against the loss, Australia clawed back, and with just moments to spare, Yengi emerged as the hero again. His late-game effort saw him finish after scrambling for the ball amid defensive chaos, scoring the equalizer deep in stoppage time—an effort confirmed after lengthy VAR scrutiny.
After the match, Popovic expressed his mixed emotions. "There are a lot of emotions now because a lot of things happened in the match," he noted. He acknowledged the importance of the point earned but was evidently aware of the gravity of the missed chance to secure three points.
While the draw did help Australia maintain second place within Group C of the AFC qualifiers, the result posed significant questions about the team's direction moving forward. Japan currently dominates the standings, showcasing its form with impactful victories, whereas Australia is just above Bahrain, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and China—each squad outlined as significant rivals.
Following the match, pundits and fans alike voiced their frustration on social media. Andy Harper, football commentator, called out the performance as "ridiculous" and criticized the lack of energy and creativity exhibited on the pitch. Speaking on SEN radio, he remarked, "A very ordinary game. We barely broke a sweat in the first half, and then it exploded. We were on the cusp of losing the unlosable. Pencils were being sharpened and obituaries being prepared."
This passionate critique reflected the sentiments among supporters who felt the Socceroos had squandered key opportunities to solidify their chants for qualification. Moving through the AFC qualifiers, the stakes were apparent: the top two teams earn outright admission to the 2026 World Cup, and with only four matches left, there was little room for error.
The road to qualification remains fraught with challenges. Australia’s next matches will be against Indonesia and China, with both teams seeking to disrupt the current standings. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if the Socceroos can muster enough change to revitalize their campaign. Many have called for stronger performances if Australia is to avoid being relegated to another round of qualifying, or worse, missing the World Cup entirely.
Despite the troubled waters, the Socceroos managed to cling to their current qualifying spot—at least for now. The upcoming weeks will be pivotal for the team and its coach to regroup and strategize effectively. The psychological blow from almost losing to Bahrain, juxtaposed with Yengi’s late relief, might prove to be the wake-up call needed if they intend to soar to the tournament stage.
