Thanks to match winner Jackson Irvine, Australia’s national soccer team qualified early for the round of 16 at the Asian Cup in Qatar.
The captain of the second division club FC St. Pauli scored the decisive goal in the Socceroos’ lackluster 1-0 (0-0) draw in the second group game against Syria on Thursday (January 18, 2024).
Hit with the first shot
“That’s just the tournament mode,” said Irvine after the arduous success: “It’s simply about winning games, not conceding any goals, scoring and reaching the next round.”
Irvine, who had already contributed the opening goal of the 2015 Asian champions in the 2-0 win against India, scored Australia’s first shot on goal in Ar-Rayyan in the 59th minute.
Cuper’s Syrians can still hope
Before the tournament, the midfielder had only scored eight times in 60 international matches, and even for St. Pauli, Irvine’s success rate with twelve goals in 75 league games is not exceptionally high. Australia leads Group B with six points.
The Syrians (one point), trained by former Inter and Valencia coach Hector Cuper, can still hope. The two best teams in each of the six groups and the two best third teams reach the round of 16.
Palestine scores against the Emirates
Meanwhile, in Group C, Palestine scored its first point of the tournament. Coach Makram Daboub’s team drew 1-1 (0-1) against the United Arab Emirates in Al-Wakrah.
After the 1:4 (1:3) defeat against top favorite Iran at the start, Palestine is still waiting for its first win in its third tournament participation.