WATCH: Socceroos back on track with home win

Michael Huguenin

WATCH: Socceroos back on track with home win image

The Socceroos have given their World Cup qualifying campaign the kick-start it needed with a 2-0 win over United Arab Emirates in Sydney.

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Australia started strongly with Jackson Irvine's first goal for the Socceroos coming from James Troisi's seventh-minute corner but it was generally a scratchy performance from the home side.

The UAE were on top for long periods at Allianz Stadium, with star playmaker Omar Abdulrahman appearing to have the ball on a string at times, but Mathew Leckie secured the win for the Socceroos in the 78th minute.

Again it was from a corner - Australia's sixth consecutive goal not from open play - with Leckie rising at the near post to send Troisi's delivery into the net.

The win ended a run of four straight draws by the Socceroos, who joined Saudi Arabia and Japan on 13 points ahead of those sides' respective qualifiers later on Tuesday night.

 

 

Check out the match highlights in the player above.

Michael Huguenin