In a heart-stopping World Cup qualifier in Manama, Australia’s Socceroos salvaged a 2-2 draw against Bahrain courtesy of a last-gasp equalizer from emerging striker Kusini Yengi. The dramatic result keeps the Socceroos clinging to second place in Group C of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
The match got off to a dream start for Australia, with 23-year-old Yengi scoring his first international goal just 38 seconds after kickoff. The Adelaide United forward pounced on a defensive error to give the Socceroos a shock early lead.
Missed Chances Haunt Australia
Despite the perfect opening, Australia failed to capitalize on their advantage. Yengi himself was guilty of squandering a golden opportunity midway through the second half, hitting the post with a clever improvisation before missing an open goal minutes later.
Those misses would come back to haunt the Socceroos, as Bahrain mounted an improbable comeback. Substitute striker Mahdi Abduljabbar turned the game on its head with two goals in the space of just 140 seconds.
Defensive Disaster
Abduljabbar’s first was a moment of individual brilliance, seizing on a mistake by Socceroos defender Cameron Burgess before audaciously chipping goalkeeper Danny Vukovic from 45 yards out.
“It was a world-class finish, but one that should have been prevented,” lamented one source close to the Australian camp. “Burgess will have nightmares about that miscontrol.”
Bahrain’s second goal also stemmed from an Australian error, with debutant defender Hayden Matthews miscuing a clearing header onto his own post, allowing Abduljabbar to pounce on the rebound.
Yengi to the Rescue
With Australia reeling, it took a moment of perseverance and determination to salvage a point. Deep into 10 minutes of added time, winger Brandon Borrello caused havoc at the back post before Yengi stabbed home the equalizer amidst a chaotic goalmouth scramble.
The brace took Yengi’s tally to three goals in just two international appearances, a remarkable rise for a player who only debuted for the Socceroos last month.
Silver Linings
While the performance left much to be desired, Socceroos boss Michael Hughes will take solace in Yengi’s continued emergence and the grit shown to fight back for a draw.
“Kusini really bailed us out today. It was a tough night at the office but to come away with a point keeps us in a decent position to qualify,”
an insider revealed.
The Socceroos remain in second spot with three matches to play in the final round of Asian qualifiers. The top two teams gain automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico.
Australia’s road ahead features a tricky trip to Uzbekistan before home clashes against Japan and Saudi Arabia. The Socceroos’ destiny remains in their own hands, but they will need to show marked improvement from this erratic display in Manama.
