Australia defeated Qatar 3-0 in a friendly international on Saturday. The win, built on first-half goals from Riley McGree, Tete Yengi and Nestory Irankunda, provides a positive start to their November window.
McGree opened the scoring after just five minutes, finishing clinically from inside the area. Connor Metcalfe was the architect for the next two, first setting up Yengi to double the lead in the 32nd minute before teeing up Irankunda for a third eight minutes later. Qatar failed to register a single shot on target against a defence marshalled by Harry Souttar.
Graham Arnold made five changes at once midway through the second half, handing minutes to the likes of Younis and Stensness. The only blemish was a late yellow card for substitute Adams. Qatar's Assim Madibo and Hatem were also booked in a match that saw 13 fouls from Australia.
The result makes it one win and one defeat from their last two outings, following a 4-2 loss to Brazil in September. That defeat to Brazil, which saw Alessandro Circati and Connor Metcalfe on the scoresheet, means their recent form stands at one win and one loss. They now turn their attention to a final friendly of this window against Jordan. That match is scheduled for Tuesday, 17 November at the Amman International Stadium. The fixture away to Jordan on Saturday 17 October will be their immediate focus.
Patrick Beach kept a clean sheet in goal behind a back five featuring Aziz Behich and Jacob Italiano. The comprehensive nature of the victory, with 14 shots to Qatar's two, offers encouragement ahead of the next test.
Football Australia confirmed on Friday that next week's friendly against Jordan has been moved from Amman to Doha. The governing body said the relocation followed security concerns raised after the players' union stated the squad had overwhelmingly wanted the match moved. FA CEO Martin Kugeler said, "We are very grateful to the Jordan Football Association for accepting to relocate the match." The fixture will now be played in Qatar on Tuesday, 17 November.
