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The Socceroos go on to win the World Cup after a youthful side defeated New Zealand 2-0 in their last friendly against Qatar.
Graham Arnold made a group of youngsters bleed at Eden Park in Auckland – a location the Wallabies have not won since 1986 – but the senior outfielder on the squad, striker Mitch Duke, grabbed the first goal.
Jason Cummings then converted a penalty after a good job from fellow debutant Garang Kuol, giving Arnold plenty to think about as he ponders his World Cup squad.
Socceroos striker Jason Cummins scored on his debut against New Zealand at Eden Park on Sunday afternoon
Australia’s Riley McGree tackles New Zealand’s Matt Carbett in the friendly
With Thursday night’s XI beating the All Whites 1-0 saving the trip to New Zealand, Arnold said he wanted to use the match to find his ‘Plan B’ for Qatar.
He offered Harrison Delbridge a full debut while Kuol, Cummings – aka the Cummingo – Ryan Strain, Cameron Devlin and Keanu Baccus all got their first taste of international senior football.
The match may have been a friendly, but there was plenty at stake for both sides.
The Socceroos, two months away from Qatar, each competed for places in the 26-man roster, while the All Whites played at home for the first time in five years.
It was surprising then that the first half was so lukewarm; perhaps the result of nerves, or playing on a surface chopped by Saturday night’s Bledisloe Cup test.
Disappointing to the huge crowd of 34,985, hometown hero Chris Wood was sent off after half an hour, complaining about a side load.
Australia’s Mitchell Duke nodded with an impressive cross to open the score against New Zealand
The Newcastle United striker spent his afternoon signing autographs for fans, rather than playing for them.
The Socceroos were inexperienced but had time on the field before; eight of the team were former or current Melbourne City players, while nine in Australia played Argentina’s 2-0 defeat at last year’s Olympics.
Despite the links, there was little understanding between teammates in a stop-start first half.
Oli Sail had one save to make – an early attempt by Riley McGree’s drive – as Australia struggled for industry or creativity.
Nathaniel Atkinson and Mat Leckie provided an outlet on the right, but to little effect, with Denis Genreau particularly wasteful in the middle.
New Zealand’s Matt Carbett (R) tackles Marco Tilio in Australia’s win
Marco Tilio produced a horror miss as halftime loomed, sidefooted off target at his mercy after Duke’s center.
After a mediocre first 45 minutes, the Socceroos returned full of sparks.
Tilio made a fine save from Sail before Connor Metcalfe served up a curlingcross for Duke in the 54th minute to go home, giving Australia a deserved lead.
With five new debutants in the game, the game opened up and Kuol helped it win with his pace.
The 18-year-old stole the ball in his own half and raced on towards goal, the ball eventually falling to Cummings – whose shot was saved by Liberato Cacace’s outstretched hand.
Socceroos youngster Garang Kuol also impressed the Aussies on Sunday afternoon
Cummings stepped up for the resulting penalty, sent it forcefully to the bottom right corner and may have booked his place for the World Cup.
Cummins explained afterwards how he felt at the park. “Absolutely bubbly,” he said. “I was chewing. I just wanted to get on the field.’
Manager Graham Arnold was very happy with how the young team performed.
“I’m really proud of those young guys,” Arnold said on Network 10.
“I’m going to go back and check it out and take a closer look before I say it in public. But it’s just refreshing to see the young faces, their energy was fantastic. It’s great that they knock on the door.
‘I wanted this to happen, I wanted to have’ [selection] headache. I didn’t want to sit at home and I think, ‘Oh, where do I get players from?’ They showed me today that we can do it,” Arnold said.
The win has given manager Graham Arnold plenty to think about just two months away from the World Cup in Qatar
Socceroos fans on social media had mostly positive things to say about the team’s performance – especially in the second half.
“Interesting to see the change of mentality in the second half, having to see that aggressive line at the World Cup from the first minute. Kuol and Cummings have probably booked their spots next to Devlin and Metcalfe,” said one Twitter user.
‘Much better second half of the Socceroos, get Cummings and Kuol on the plane to Qatar!’ added one more.
“Seriously, we need to get Mathew Leckie to Captain the Wallabies. The first Aussie Capt to win at Eden Park in a while,” a third joked.