A goal on starting debut from Melbourne Victory winger Nishan Velupillay helped the Subway Socceroos record a thumping 5-1 win over Indonesia in their crucial World Cup qualifier at Sydney Football Stadium.
Handed a first start by Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic, Velupillay justified his boss’ decision in the 20th minute as he coolly steered Australia into a 2-0 lead after forward Martin Boyle had bagged the opener from the spot just two minutes earlier.
“It’s a special moment for the boy isn’t it,” said Popovic when asked about Velupillay’s performance after the game.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE
“Starting your first game, pressure, you know. A Sydney stadium that’s full, it doesn’t come bigger than that. So the young man’s handling it well.
“(He) scored, he has that talent (and) he has that ability to do that, and hopefully we’ll get him stronger that he can maintain that level for longer periods.
“Of course, he got a little tired in the second half and gets a bit sloppy, but that’s part of the growth. You put these boys in, you can’t just manufacture the minutes and the experience of playing in big games.
OLYROOS LATEST: A-Leagues young guns give Olyroos last-gasp win over storied Euro nation at U23 tournament
“At the start they don’t have that. So that’s his first start. So you know when he looks back he should be really proud of that.”
Ultimately replaced by Victory teammate Daniel Arzani in the 72nd minute, Velupillay proved to be a constant threat during his time on the pitch and will have no doubt given Popovic plenty of food for thought when it comes to selecting his line-up for their next fixture against China.
The 23-year-old winger was one of three Isuzu UTE A-League stars picked from the start by Popovic who selected Perth Glory striker Adam Taggart to lead the line whilst Melbourne City captain Aziz Behich was deployed in his customary left wing-back role.
However, that quick-fire double from the Socceroos came after what had been a sluggish start from the home side, who were fortunate not to be behind after just eight minutes.
Having already produced an excellent save from a powerful header, recalled goalkeeper Mat Ryan then watched on as Indonesia’s Kevin Dijks rattled the frame of the goal from the penalty spot after defender Kye Rowles was penalised in the 7th minute.
From that moment on though the home side heeded their early warning and took full control of the crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier at Sydney Football Stadium, even if their performance was more efficient as opposed to stylish.
MUST READ: Germany international’s vision for youth football amid global ‘trend’ in A-Leagues
Holding a 3-0 lead at the break care of a Jackson Irvine strike in the 34th minute, further goals from wing-back Lewis Miller and a second for Irvine either side of a consolation goal from Indonesia’s Ole Romeny put the seal on what was an important win for the Socceroos.
Sat second in Group C with 10 points from seven games, the Socceroos still occupy an all-important automatic qualifying spot for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“Obviously not a good start,” reflected Popovic after the game. “I think the goal they scored probably summarised how we defended today.
“They didn’t create, we gave them chances, we gave them the penalty. We gave them the goal as well. So I think defensively, we weren’t great today.
“We were a little bit on edge, little bit sloppy in our defending. So that’s how we started and gave away a silly wide free kick and then obviously the penalty happened. They missed and then I think getting the goal settled everyone down, and I thought were okay after that.”
WORLD CUP LATEST: 11 A-Leagues stars can seal their World Cup spot this week after FIFA’s biggest script flip
Whilst the win was no doubt very pleasing for Popovic there were some injury concerns to come out of the game, most notably to his starting centre forward.
Seen holding his groin at times during the first-half, Glory forward Taggart was a replaced at the break by Western Sydney Wanderers star Brandon Borrello, with Popovic subsequently revealing Taggart will have to be assessed before they make the trip to face China in Hangzhou on Tuesday.
“We will get them assessed in the morning, but they both had a bit of a niggle,” said Popovic when asked why he took off both Taggart and Boyle at half-time.
“Maybe Adam a little bit more than Martin Boyle, but Adam was definitely coming off and Martin was bit of a precaution.
“We knew he (Boyle) wouldn’t be able to go the 90 and we thought, with how Indonesia was playing, that maybe some fresh legs between the lines to still exploit that man-on-man that they were doing on the halfway that, you know, Craig (Goodwin) could come on and help us in that area.
“I thought we could still do that a bit better but with Craig’s delivery, he set up a couple of goals, so positive and hopefully those boys are fit to travel.”
