Australia advance to the third phase of World Cup qualification with a perfect record, after beating Jordan 1-0.
Harry Souttar’s second half header rounded off a successful campaign for Graham Arnold’s squad.
He met Ajdin Hrustic’s deep corner to power home another trademark headed goal, making it six goals in five Socceroos caps for the Stoke City defender.
Jordan, who required a win to secure progression to the next round of qualifiers, finished the game with 10-men after Musa Al-Taamari was dismissed following an altercation with Aziz Behich.
They now face a nervous wait, hoping that Kuwait fail to win in their match against Chinese Taipei later this morning.
Australia’s not-so-secret weapon on target again
Souttar has adapted quickly to life on the international scene, and despite being a long way from the cold windy nights in Stoke where he has thrived this year, he continues to prove himself as a handy source for goals.
The centre-half’s sixth goal in the green and gold makes him the joint second top goal scorer in the current squad, level with Jackson Irvine and Adam Taggart.
Whilst the quality of opposition will only improve, Souttar is certainly making a strong case to become a regular in Arnold’s starting XI.
Tempers flare as Jordanians lose their cool
The result leaves Jordan’s qualification fate outside of their own hands, and their players were visible distraught on the final whistle.
Ehsan Haddad also made a rash lunge on Aziz Behich late in the second-half, prompting an angry reaction from the Australian full-back who ran up to Haddad to confront him.
In return, Haddad butted Behich with his forehead, before Behich was pushed away by Al-Taamari, sparking a brawl involving several players from both teams.
The referee, Kim Sang-Woo, immediately cautioned Behich for his reaction, before taking time speaking with his assistant and cautioning Haddad and then dismissing Al-Taamari.
What now for Australia’s World Cup qualification bid?
Australia still have one more phase of qualifying to negotiate before booking their ticket to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.
They and 11 other teams will be split into two groups of six for another round robin competition, with the top two teams progressing to the Finals, whilst the two third-placed sides face-off for a spot in an intercontinental play-off.
Australia 1 (Harry Souttar, 75m) Jordan 0
Referee: Kim Sang-Woo
Australia (3-4-1-2)
1. (GK, C) Mathew Ryan, 2. Milos Degenek, 20. Trent Sainsbury, 19. Harry Souttar, 16. Aziz Behich, 4. Rhyan Grant (3. Fran Karacic, 90+3m), 13. Kenny Dougall (5. James Holland, 70m), 22. Jackson Irvine, 10. Ajdin Hrustic (21. Riley McGree, 83m), 6. Martin Boyle (11. Awer Mabil, 83m), 9. Jamie Maclaren (15. Adam Taggart, 70m)
Unused subs: 7. Ruon Tongyik 8. Ryan McGowan, 12. Andrew Redmayne, 14. Brandon Borrello, 17. Christopher Ikonomidis, 18. Danny Vukovic, 23. Curtis Good
Manager: Graham Arnold
Yellow cards: Martin Boyle, Harry Souttar, Aziz Behich
Red cards: None
Jordan (4-2-3-1)
22. (GK) Moataz Yaseen, 17. Salem Al-Ajalin (15. Ali Iyad Olwan), 5. Yazan Al-Arab, 3. Mohannad Khairullah, 23. Ehsan Haddad, 6. Nour Al-Rawabdeh (8. Odai Al-Saify) 4. Baha’a Abdel-Rahman (13. Ibrahim Sadeh), 7. Yousef Al-Rawashdeh (14. Ahmed Al-Ersan), 10. Ahmed Samir (20. Hamza Al-Dardour), 18. Musa Al-Taamari 9. Baha Faisal
Unused subs: 1. Ahmed Absel-Sattar, 2. Feras Shelbaieh, 11. Yaseen Al-Bakhit, 12. Abdallah Al-Fakhouri, 16. Ahmed Tha’er Daoud Haikal, 19. Anas Bani Yassen, 21. Rawad Abu Khizaran
Manager: Vital Borkelmans
Yellow cards: Ehsan Haddad
Red cards: Musa Al-Taamari
Image Supplied: Getty
