07:12

Two-nil to Australia. They got what they came for, didn’t they? After a polished start from the home side, this match reached ‘cagey’ status fairly quickly and there it ultimately remained. It’s hard to say whether that was a reflection on the quality, tactics or a combination from both sides, but whatever the case Australia remain in strong contention for a birth in Russia.

Retaining Postecoglou’s controversial 3-4-3 (or is it 3-4-2-1?) system from last week, Australia set themselves to stretch their opposition, and it was clear early on that left winger Brad Smith would enjoy plenty of space and time on the ball. He looked incisive early, and it wasn’t long until Australia conjured their first chance. A corner from Troisi saw Jackson Irvine rise and head firmly to give Australia the lead, but the early goal served no indicator for what followed.

Through the brothers Abdulrahman, UAE brought themselves into the match. Their tactics appeared a carbon copy of Iraq’s a week earlier, as diagonal balls repeatedly tested Australia’s high back three. Meanwhile, Australia’s attack either broke down quickly or were stymied by profligacy in front of goal. Although Troisi was central to most of Australia’s forays, he will rue a number of chances where testing the keeper, at least, should have been expected.

Nails were bitten through half time but Australia started in far better fashion to the equivalent period last week. Smith, who was Australia’s most dangerous all night, started to find further freedom against a tiring UAE before a succession of corners led to another goal. Leckie rose to meet Troisi’s away swinger, and again the UAE might ask themselves whether better marking was available.

The goal settled the fraying nerves of the masses, who may now be comprehending the limits of Ange Postecoglou’s squad. The three points were absolutely necessary, but against a notionally weaker opponent on home soil most would have expected a smoother encounter. Perhaps the match will do well to temper the expectations of an increasingly expectant public, for whom World Cup appearances have quickly become the norm. Australia march on, albeit with a little more humility. They will do well to take the necessary three points in each of their next fixtures. Who knows, maybe a show down with the current fourth placed side in CONCACAF, the USA, might give us another story to salivate over for years to come.

Wherever you are around the world, thanks for joining me on the blog. Catch you next time.

