Socceroos vs Vietnam: What we learned as extraordinary winning run continues and dream pairing prove inseparable

Josh Thomas

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Socceroos vs Vietnam: What we learned as extraordinary winning run continues and dream pairing prove inseparable image

The Socceroos scraped to a 1-0 win over Vietnam in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday night in Hanoi. 

While the victory wasn't flawless, it has seen Australia continue their remarkable winning run and keeps them on track to secure a place in Qatar next year. 

Against Vietnam, a relatively new partnership showed why they should be inseparable, while an absence in attack was hard to miss. 

Here's what we learned from the Socceroos' match against Vietnam...

Socceroos finding ways to win as extraordinary run continues

Unlike the China victory last week, this win over Vietnam wasn't quite as pretty but it was Australia's tenth-straight triumph and another vital three points in the bag.

From this match in the testing climate of Hanoi to playing four qualifiers in a Kuwaiti hub after an 18-month break, the Socceroos have found ways to deal with whatever is thrown at them without stumbling in recent months. 

The road to a World Cup is paved with plenty of banana skins but Arnold's side have avoided any so far with this perfect start an ideal platform to build from to secure a place in Qatar next year. 

Vietnam nearly did see the green and gold slip up on Tuesday with the side let off numerous times at the back after sloppy moments. 

While the performance left a fair bit to be desired, the Socceroos still walked away victors thanks to Rhyan Grant and with a World Cup place on the line, that's all that will be remembered in 12 months' time. 

Souttar and Sainsbury a dream defensive pairing

A good centre-back pairing is hard to come by at club level, let alone on the international stage, but the Socceroos have seemingly found a perfect partnership.

Harry Souttar and Trent Sainsbury were kept together at the back for the clash against Vietnam after solid displays last week and it's hard to find any reason to replace either. 

Souttar is so much more than just his height with the Stoke City star providing an effective screen for Australia's back-line and is never shy of getting on the ball when needed. 

Sainsbury's experience and communication at the back is just as valuable as was highlighted late in the game and the duo seem to bounce off and cover each other well. 

While Milos Degenek and Bailey Wright loom as ideal back-ups when needed, a centre-back pairing as good as this is hard to come by and shouldn't be tinkered with unnecessarily. 

Boyle is irreplaceable in attack

While Riley McGree might be the Socceroos' future in attack, Martin Boyle is one of the side's best options up front right now and he was missed dearly on Thursday. 

After scoring against China last week, Boyle picked up a minor injury and was rested as a precaution with McGree struggling to fill some sizable boots against Vietnam. 

McGree is yet to get many minutes with Birmingham City at club level this season and it showed with a lack sharpness for the Socceroos.

Boyle, meanwhile, is on fire with Hibernian and offers so much in the final third with his pace, positioning and passing making him a perfect winger in this Socceroos set-up. 

If he's fit next month, it's safe to say Boyle will be one of the first names on Graham Arnold's team sheet. 



Josh Thomas