Stunning two-minute blitz avoids World Cup ambush, keeps fate in Socceroos' hands

A stunning two-minute first-half blitz helped the Socceroos overcome an early ambush from Indonesia to maintain their place in the automatic World Cup qualifying places in Asia's Group C thanks to a 5-1 win at Allianz Stadium.

A Martin Boyle penalty and Nishan Velupillay goal in the 18th and 20th minutes set up a buffer that led to the three points for Tony Popovic's side in this must-win match in a critical week of qualifiers on the path to the 2026 World Cup,.

The win moves the green and gold to 10 points, four clear of the chasing pack ahead of Saudi Arabia's clash with China and Japan's match with Bahrain.

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Veteran Jackson Irvine finished superbly from within the box to send the side to the sheds 3-0 up, while substitute Craig Goodwin curled two corners for second-half goals - the first to Lewis Miller in the 61st minute, before Irvine nabbed himself a brace with a clinical, thumping 90th minute header to round out a rewarding evening.

But the scoreline did not reflect how hard the Socceroos had to work to gain the ascendancy in a match Team Garuda came out of the blocks in.

Indeed, the Indonesians, fired up playing in front of a huge number of raucous fans in red amongst the 35,241 in attendance, could have been 2-0 up within seven minutes.

Skipper and keeper Mat Ryan had to leap spectacularly to his right to tip a point-blank Jay Idzes header over the bar, before Indonesia were awarded a penalty just two minutes later after some calamitous defending from the then-jittery hosts.

Cameron Burgess mistimed a ball over the top and Kye Rowles was adjudged to have fouled Rafael Struick as he entered the box.

How different might this match, and the evening of World Cup qualifying in the excruciatingly close group, could have been had Kevin Dik's subsequent penalty not clattered into the woodwork.

It was a wake-up call, and indeed, Popovic's men awoke from the early ambush. Looking flash in their first outing in Football Australia's new home kit, the football started to match the fashion statement as the hosts settled.

Once again, Popovic made a few surprise selections as he balanced his squad between this clash, and Tuesday night's game in China. Given the tightness of the group, anything but six points in this double header would have been a blow.

Adam Taggart led the line up front flanked by Velupillay and Martin Boyle, with Craig Goodwin on the bench, while Burgess marshalled a depleted backline missing Harry Souttar, with Jason Geria and Rowles ahead of him.

As momentum swung towards Australia, midfield pair Jackson Irvine and Aiden O'Neill gained a stranglehold of midfield and the moment the hosts started to stretch the Indonesian backline the game turned.

Finally, the hosts pressed higher up the park, with veteran Aziz Behich making it his mission to step up the intensity, while Burgess started winning his physical battles to restore confidence after his shaky start.

The pressure resulted in the opening goal when Nathan Tjoe-A-On bearhugged Miller in the box. Initially, the foul was missed by the officials and Rowles teed up Boyle to snap their first meaningful shot of the match, which deflected just wide.

Upon review, however, the foul was given, and Boyle stepped up to put the hosts ahead. If Indonesia couldn't believe they were behind, they really knew it two minutes later when Velupillay was ice cool in front of goalkeeper Maarten Paes to dispatch a wicked finish past him.

The Melbourne Victory flyer found himself clear in behind the defence after a deflection following some excellent hold up play from Boyle and Taggart.

His finish repaid the faith Popovic showed him in handing him a start; indeed, Velupillay was really coming into his own, lurking on either flank, and centrally. Just after the half hour he found himself centrally on the edge of the area and smartly fed Miller on the right. The wingback crossed for Irvine, arriving expertly in the box.

And after Paes made a top reflex save to deny him, the veteran midfielder showed quick thinking of his own to finish brilliantly in the right corner to give the Socceroos an unassailable lead.

Positively for Popovic, the Socceroos showed composure and game management wherewithal to round out the half - but - Indonesia came out of the blocks quickly again in the second term.

They showed bright sparks under their new boss, Dutch football legend Patrick Kluivert and dynamic No.10 Ole Romney grabbed a 78th minute consolation, while Ryan was forced into two sharp second-half saves.

But in the end they were outclassed. Popovic brought on Brandon Borrello and Goodwin at the break, as well as Fran Karacic, Daniel Arzani and Milos Degenek throughout the second-half.

Veteran Goodwin reminded everyone of his set-piece acumen with two world class deliveries to help put the polish on the scoreline to tee up two headed finishes from Miller and Irvine.

In a group where places could be split by goal difference, they could be consequential goals for both sides.

Of more immediate concern for the Socceroos is their clash with China, Tuesday evening, in Hangzhou, where three points will continue to see Australia's World Cup destiny remain in their own hands.

David Weiner is the author of the young adults book The Goals That Changed Australia – Stories from the Biggest Stage on Earth, is available as a book, e-book and now an audio book as well.