Emotional rollercoaster in Bahrain as Yengi brace spares Socceroos blushes

The Australian national team was unable to produce the win it needed in World Cup qualifying against Bahrain on Wednesday morning AEDT.

But it could have been worse.

The Socceroos eventually drew 2-2 in an emotional rollercoaster as Kusini Yengi book-ended the night with early and late goals at the Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa.

The visitors were gifted the opener inside 38 seconds when debutant Hayden Matthews played a crafty through ball from the right-back position which found its way to Bahrain’s central defender Said Mahdi Baqer. He left his back-pass to goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfallah way too short.

That invited Portsmouth striker Yengi to pounce, take a touch and round the keeper to slot home his fifth international goal.

It looked as though Tony Popovic’s outfit was managing its way towards a much-needed victory before disaster struck.

Bahrain substitute Mahdi Abduljabbar netted twice in quick succession in the 75th and 77th minutes to slide a dagger in the hearts of the Aussies.

All hope seemed lost and a fourth-round play-off dogfight was momentarily on the agenda.

The up and down nature of the contest again rose for the Australians just as it seemed they were being condemned to a disastrous loss.

A floated ball to the back post fell to Yengi who fired home from close range in the 96th minute, giving the Socceroos a share of the points after a lengthy and nervy VAR check.

The result saw the Socceroos hold onto second spot in Group C on seven points, behind tearaway leaders Japan on 16, with Bahrain now fifth on six points.

Australia’s next fixture comes against Indonesia in Australia in March before crunch clashes with China (also in March), Japan in Australia (in June) and Saudi Arabia away, also in June.

Captain and goalkeeper Maty Ryan made his 96th appearance for the Socceroos, equalling former skipper Lucas Neill. Only long-time custodian Mark Schwarzer (109) and leading goal scorer Tim Cahill (108) have played more times in the green and gold for the men’s setup.