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The Socceroos are a step closer to qualifying for the 2022 World Cup after securing a must-win victory over the United Arab Emirates.
Rising star Ajdin Hrustic, who won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt last month, scored a late volley to lift Australia to a 2-1 win in their do-or-die play-off match in Doha on Wednesday morning.
After a nervy first-half that saw both sides struggle to create serious chances, Australia came out firing in the second, with midfielder Jackson Irvine opening the scoring in the 55th minute after a clever series of passes with stand-out winger Martin Boyle.
But the UAE struck back less than four minutes later through striker Caio Canedo, who capitalised on some scrambling Australian defence to equalise in the 57th.
The two quick-fire goals seemed to remind the Socceroos what they were playing for, and as the second half wore on, the side strung together several more convincing passing sequences and created more overloads down either wing.
Adelaide United forward Craig Goodwin had a great chance to double Australia's tally in the 62nd minute, latching onto a deep Boyle cross, but his volley fizzed over the crossbar.
A 70th-minute substitution of A-League Men Golden Boot winner Jamie Maclaren gave Australia some extra movement and energy up front, with the Melbourne City forward finding himself in dangerous pockets in the box within minutes, forcing a fine save from UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa in the 80th minute.
Just as the game looked to be edging towards extra-time, it was the 25-year-old Hrustic who came to the Socceroos' rescue.
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A corner from returned midfielder Aaron Mooy was initially headed clear by the UAE's defence, only for the ball to fall right into Hrustic's path. With a single, fluid movement, the number 10 struck the rubber with his laces, the force of the strike ricocheting off a UAE defender and spinning into the net.
Despite the crucial win, questions will be asked over Australia's first-half performance, which was flat and conservative in possession. They failed to register a single shot on target in the opening 45, with clear opportunities few and far between.
That passive play could have been punished by the UAE's quick transitional players, especially left winger Harib Abdalla Almaazmi, who snuck in behind Australia's defence several times and forced goalkeeper Mat Ryan into a number of crucial saves.
But those will be questions for tomorrow. The Socceroos' final step in this qualification journey comes against Peru next Tuesday at 4am AEST in Doha. Win that, and Australia are through to their fifth successive men's World Cup.
Check out how the match unfolded below.
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Post-match thoughts
The dream is still alive. A fifth consecutive World Cup appearance for Australia is one final play-off game away.
After a nervy start in the first half with both sides trying to find the opener, the game finally burst to life in the second stanza as Jackson Irvine scored for Australia, followed swiftly by a UAE equaliser.
A bullet volley by midfielder Ajdin Hrustic in the dying stages put the Socceroos ahead, and the team hung on for the win.
While a win is a win, there will undoubtedly be questions over why it took Australia half a game to find their spark. The substitution of Jamie Maclaren in the 70th minute and the hard running of Martin Boyle down the right wing seemed to be what the team needed to lift them and force a result.
Australia will now face Peru in the intercontinental play-off at 4:00am AEST next Tuesday.
Win that, and they're through to Qatar in November.
Thanks so much for tuning into the ABC's live coverage of today's match. I'll catch you at the next one as we cheer on our boys!
Audience comment by Ade - Brighton’s “Asian in a wheelchair”!
Kudos, congrats and “Mazal “Tov” Socceroos on an absolutely sterling job so far!..<br><br>Now let’s please “finish the job” of World Cup Qualification by taking us down the ***ning Path" against Peru!<br>Ha! "***ning Path", get it?!