Agencies
Doha
Australia moved through to the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 on Sunday as an own goal by Elkan Baggott and a diving header from Martin Boyle sent the Socceroos on their way to a 4-0 win over Indonesia at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
Graham Arnold’s side will take on either Saudi Arabia or South Korea next Friday with a place in the semi-finals at stake as the Australians look to claim a second AFC Asian Cup title after previously winning on home soil in 2015.
The Australians took the lead in the 12th minute after Jackson Irvine’s shot went in off Baggott before doubling their advantage in the final minute of the half when Boyle threw himself at Gethin Jones’ cross from the right.
“We knew they would come out here with nothing to lose today, we knew they would come and fight and run,” said Australian forward Irvine, who had a hand in two goals. “In the first half they caused us some problems with their energy and intensity but our experience and professionalism shone through in the second half and I think we had too much for them on the day.”
Craig Goodwin added the third a minute from time with a well-struck volley and, little more than two minutes later, Harry Souttar headed in Australia’s fourth.
Boyle’s goal gave the Australians the cushion needed to see off an opponent that refused to be overawed despite the gap between the teams in the FIFA rankings, with Shin Tae-yong’s side rated 121 places behind the Socceroos but showing few signs that such a gulf existed.
By the sixth minute they had carved out a sight of goal, Rafael Struick looping his first-time shot from close-range over the bar after a period of possession had culminated in Justin Hubner’s driving in his cross from the left.
So it was unfortunate when Team Garuda went behind in the 12th minute following Irvine’s burst into the penalty area, the midfielder shrugging off Shayne Pattynama’s challenge before hitting a shot that hit Baggott before beating Ernando Ari at his near post.
Six minutes from the break Hubner fed Marselino Ferdinan down the right and his cross arced towards the far side of the penalty area, from where Yakob Sayuri smashed his first-time volley wide of the target.
However, the Socceroos delivered a sucker punch to Indonesia’s hopes in the 45th minute, Jones sending over a low cross from the right that bounced inside the six-yard box and Boyle (pictured above) threw himself forward headfirst to power the ball in.
Indonesia continued to push in an effort to give their indefatigable fans hope but the result was put beyond doubt a minute from time when Goodwin volleyed in having seen Ernando parried his save of Irvine’s header into the substitute’s path.
Goodwin then turned provider two minutes later, setting up Souttar to glance his close-range header home.
“I am very proud of my team,” said Indonesia captain Jordi Amat. “We knew from the start it would be a tough game. They were more clinical in the first half. We had our chances but couldn’t score. We need to work and come back stronger.”
