The Subway Socceroos have defeated Indonesia 5-1 in front of over 35,000 fans at Sydney Football Stadium to secure an all-important three points in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Third Round Asian Qualifiers.
Jackson Irvine scored a brace while Martin Boyle, Nishan Velupillay and Lewis Miller were also on the scoresheet as the Socceroos were clinical when it mattered.
The result – against a spirited Indonesia – means that Australia will remain second in Group C for another match, keeping their noses in front in the race for automatic World Cup qualification.
There were six changes to the starting eleven that last lined up for the Socceroos in November, reflecting the broader changes to the squad. Adam Taggart, Martin Boyle and Nishan Velupillay came in up top, Aiden O’Neill lined up in midfield, while Kye Rowles and Jason Geria started in the heart of defence.
It was a first start in Green and Gold for Velupillay, earned after his recent goalscoring form at club level with Melbourne Victory.
Indonesia showed the type of quality early in the game that belied their FIFA ranking of 127. They were aggressive on the ball and looked to take the game to the Socceroos. Maty Ryan was soon called into action, tipping the ball over the crossbar after a header from captain Jay Noah Idzes.
The visitors had a golden opportunity to score first when they won a penalty in the 7th minute. Kevin Diks was not able to convert, however, hitting his effort against the post.
Australia got their own chance from the penalty spot ten minutes later. Lewis Miller was brought down in the box and, upon VAR review, a spot kick was awarded. Martin Boyle made no mistake to give the home side the lead.
The Socceroos would double their lead only moments later. Velupillay was sent through one-on-one with the goalkeeper after a fantastic through ball by Adam Taggart. The 23-year-old smashed it past Martin Paes to score his second international goal and ensure that the Socceroos were in the driving seat.
The last time that the Socceroos played at the Sydney Football Stadium, in 2017, Jackson Irvine scored his first international goal. Against Indonesia he scored his 12th, making use of the space created by a fantastic turn from Velupillay and a Boyle cross in to place it home after a rebound effort.
Irvine’s strike meant that Australia enjoyed a three-goal advantage at half-time, a significant buffer that seemed a long way away during the first ten minutes of the game.
Half-time saw a reshuffle in attack by Head Coach Tony Popovic. Brandon Borrello and Craig Goodwin were introduced, replacing Adam Taggart and Martin Boyle.
Indonesia started the second half much like they started the first – very much on the front foot. They had a series of set pieces to start the half that challenged Australia in defence and kept Ryan on high alert in goals.
In another repeat of the first half, though, it would be the home side who broke through. A fantastic corner from Craig Goodwin was met with a diving header from Lewis Miller, whose second-ever Socceroos goal made it a four-goal lead for Australia.
In the 72nd minute, Fran Karačić and Daniel Arzani made their return to the national team, Karačić for the first time since 2022. Goalscorers Nishan Velupillay and Lewis Miller were withdrawn.
Indonesia would eventually get the reward that they deserved for their efforts. Oli Romenij muscled his way through to get on the end of a through ball and, on his debut, scored Indonesia’s first goal against Australia in more than forty years.
The goal would prove to be only consolation, however, and the Socceroos added to their lead late in regulation time. It was another Goodwin corner that led to the fifth, this time finding the head of Jackson Irvine.
The result means that the Socceroos maintain their place in second in the group and will look to take that momentum into the game against China PR on Tuesday.
Source: socceroos.com.au
