McGree Helps Socceroos Put Qatar to the Sword in 3-0 Doha Win
Riley McGree scored inside five minutes as Australia beat Qatar 3-0 in a friendly in Doha on Friday, November 13. Tete Yengi and Nestory Irankunda also scored before halftime, leaving Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui under pressure ahead of a match against South Korea.
Riley McGree helps Socceroos put a turbulent week behind them, scoring after five minutes as Australia beat Asian champions Qatar 3-0 in a friendly in Doha on Friday, November 13. Tete Yengi and Nestory Irankunda added goals before halftime.
The result came after days of argument over the Socceroos' next match, against Jordan. On Thursday it was announced that the game, due next Tuesday, would be played in Doha.
McGree, a 28-year-old Middlesbrough midfielder, intercepted a pass from Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada to open the scoring. It was his first goal for Australia in more than four years and his second at senior international level.
He had missed the World Cup this summer after a hamstring injury in Middlesbrough's Championship play-off final defeat by Hull City in May. He was replaced by Eli Adams after 65 minutes on Friday.
Goals from the press
Australia pressed high and all three goals came from forcing errors. Connor Metcalfe set up Yengi in the 32nd minute after a poor clearance by Abunada.
Irankunda scored the third five minutes before halftime. Metcalfe again won the ball, this time after a bounced pass from Ahmed Fathy got away from Almoez Ali.
Qatar did not touch the ball in the Australian penalty area until the 38th minute, when they were already 2-0 down. Ali managed their first shot in the 72nd minute. Debutant Sam Klein blocked it, and Patrick Beach in the Australian goal never had to make a save. An 88th-minute goal by Ali was disallowed for offside.
"It was good to see the players who scored," said Socceroos coach Tony Popovic. "To see Riley back starting a game for Australia, which hasn't happened in a while."
Popovic added that "we're getting the players in the right areas. Still a lot of work to do for us, but that was pleasing."
Pressure on Lopetegui
Local Qatari media were already discussing the sacking of Qatar head coach Julen Lopetegui by halftime. They questioned why his side kept playing out from the back against Australia's pressing.
Qatar play South Korea next Tuesday in a match that could prove decisive for Lopetegui's tenure. Australia face Jordan the same day, Tuesday, November 17, at 16:00 GMT.
