98 SPORT FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4 2015 ADVERTISER.COM.AU Socceroos tick the box 5-0 with real battle next week

DAVID DAVUTOVIC

ANY risk of complacency was extinguished last night as the ruthless Socceroos tore min- now Bangladesh to shreds in last night’s 2018 World Cup qualifier. Coach was almost offended at any pre-game suggestion of exper- imentation or a flogging, but there was a hint of both as his youthful squad clearly heeded the message, dismantling the star-struck visitors 5-0. opened the scoring in the sixth minute and from there the floodgates opened in front of a boisterous 19,495 crowd at nib Stadium, as starred and cel- ebrated his first Socceroos start in 18 months with a maiden goal. Veteran only played the last 30 minutes, kept in cotton wool for Tues- day’s undoubtedly tougher clash away to . Bangladesh, 173rd on the FIFA rankings, at home will probably be the easiest match of the group, but try telling that Leckie or Tom Rogic. Both had a sense of pur- pose about them, with Leckie now able to stop fielding ques- tions about his goal drought (he had scored one goal in 25 internationals prior). After groin issues cost Rogic a definite World Cup and Asian Cup spot, he was reveling in the freedom he hadn’t enjoyed since groin is- sues began plaguing him sev- eral years ago. Playing at the top of a four- man midfield, supported by , Massimo Luon- go and , Rogic CUTTING A SWATHE: Goal scorer Aaron Mooy of splits two Bangladeshi opponents in Perth last night. Picture: WILL RUSSELL/GETTY IMAGES caused the Tigers heart palpa- tations with his sharpness and two minutes later. quickest after keeper Moham- McKay and (162 pleaser, second-half subs hanbe will be the real chal- trickery until he was with- Rogic then capitalised on a med Sahidul Alam parried caps) had almost as many caps and Ikonomi- lenge in this FIFA window. drawn on 62 minutes for Lazio cutback from Jason David- Leckie’s header to tap in to as the combined first XI last dis were playing just their sec- Australia 5 (Mathew Leck- teen . son’s left, though his 20th make it four before the break. night (164), with stand-in cap- ond internationals. ie 6, Tom Rogic 8, Topu Bar- After Leckie had tapped in minute strike took a wicked Mooy’s thunderous strike tain Milligan (40 caps), Mat- Even against the minnows, man 20 og, 29, a Luongo cutback, Rogic’s ex- deflection. put the Socceroos 5-0 up just thew Spiranovic (27) and the modern-day Socceroos Aaron Mooy 61) d Bangla- quisite first touch allowed him Nathan Burns, who part- before Cahill was introduced Leckie (25) the only players have a sense of purpose, but desh 0 at nib Stadium. to put ’s cutback nered Leckie up front until to the delight of the crowd. with over 20 appearances. Postecoglou and the players Crowd: 19,495. Referee: Vo into the back of the net just Cahill replaced him, reacted Socceroos subs Cahill, Matt While Cahill was a crowd know Tuesday’s clash in Dus- Minh Tri

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FORMER WALLABIES CAPTAIN & LEGEND JOHN EALES

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