Australia secured a spot in the Asian Cup knockout rounds on Thursday, following a less-than-stellar performance but a 1-0 win over Syria. This victory, courtesy of Jackson Irvine’s lone goal, propelled the Socceroos into the last 16 with one game remaining. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan positioned themselves favorably to join the knockout stage.
Australia leads Group B with a perfect six points, holding a two-point advantage over Uzbekistan, who, with one round of matches left, needs just a point in their final game against Australia on Tuesday to ensure their progression. Syria currently holds one point, while India sits at the bottom with no points and no goals.
In a match where both Australia and Syria managed only one shot on target each, Socceroos coach Graham Arnold dismissed suggestions that his team had relied on luck. Arnold emphasized the importance of mentality, work rate, and keeping a clean sheet, stating, “Clean sheets win tournaments.” Australia, with a 2-0 win against India in their opening game, is considered a contender to win the Asian Cup, having secured the title in 2015 on home soil.
Facing a stubborn Syria, Australia struggled to break down their opponents, prompting Arnold to make a triple substitution in the 57th minute. The move paid off three minutes later when Jackson Irvine, based in Germany, scored the decisive goal, poking the ball through the legs of Syria’s goalkeeper Ahmad Madanieh.
In another Group B encounter, Uzbekistan, following a goalless draw with Syria in their first game, secured a convincing 3-0 victory over India. The Central Asians dominated the first half, with Abbosbek Fayzullaev opening the scoring within five minutes through a header. Indian defender Sandesh Jhingan’s unfortunate own goal and Sherzod Nasrullaev’s strike during first-half stoppage time further extended Uzbekistan’s lead.
Ranked 102nd in the world compared to Uzbekistan’s 68th position, India had limited opportunities, mainly restricted to speculative crosses. With hopes of a comeback dashed, Uzbekistan showcased their superiority in front of a crowd exceeding 38,000 at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
The final match on Thursday will feature Palestine against the United Arab Emirates.