- Australia’s World Cup qualifier didn’t go as planned
- The visitors needed last-minute heroics to save face.
An injury-time equalizer from Kusini Yengi saved the Socceroos from a complete disaster in Riffa against Bahrain.
Leading 1-0 in the second half, the Australians conceded two goals in two minutes thanks to a brace from Bahrain substitute Mahdi Abduljabbar before Yengi’s second goal of the match ensured the World Cup qualifier of FIFA ended in a 2-2 draw.
The point moved the Socceroos into second place, nine points behind Group C leaders Japan, in the third round of AFC World Cup qualifying.
However, second place, which brings automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, is still really up for grabs, with four teams (Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China) just one point behind Australia.
While the draw was better than nothing, the Socceroos should have put the game to bed before Bahrain’s second-half comeback.
The visitors made a dream start and took the lead after 38 seconds thanks to Yengi.
The look on Ajdin Hrustic’s face says it all as the Socceroos allowed Bahrain to score twice in just 140 seconds to turn the game around.
Kusini Yengi scored after just 38 seconds of play and then scored again in the 95th minute to rescue his team.
Coach Tony Popovic had a lot to be angry about as his team nearly blew it against a team ranked 52 places below them in the world rankings.
Called into the starting team at the expense of veteran marksman Mitch Duke, Yengi took advantage of a weak back pass from Bahrain defender Sayed Baqer before rounding goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla and guiding the ball into the back of the net.
Yengi should have doubled Australia’s lead in the 24th minute after receiving a pass from midfielder Riley McGree, but was thwarted by Lutfalla.
Chances continued to fall for Yengi, but the Portsmouth striker’s goal was denied by the post on the hour mark.
A poor first touch soon after proved costly for Yengi as he had another good chance to increase Australia’s lead.
Bahrain then had a chance to equalize in the 64th minute, but Ebrahim Al-Khatal’s shot was well blocked by Socceroos defender Cameron Burgess.
However, the Bahrainis equalized in the 75th minute thanks to a spectacular shot from 40 meters by Abduljabbar.
The midfielder pounced on defender Burgess’ clumsy attempt to control a long ball with a speculative shot that caught retired goalkeeper Mat Ryan off his line as it sailed into the back of the net.