A magnificent Mile Jedinak hat-trick has knocked out Honduras 3-1 and sent Australia to next year’s FIFA World Cup in style.
After a 0-0 draw in the first leg in San Pedro Sula, the two teams moved to Sydney to battle it out for a spot in Russia. And it was captain courageous Jedinak, in front of a sellout crowd at ANZ Stadium, who struck three times in the second half to notch qualification for the Socceroos’ fourth World Cup in a row.
Australia coach Ange Postecoglou made four changes from the first leg with Tim Cahill, Mark Milligan, Aziz Behich, Tom Rogic and Matthew Leckie all starting, and Tomi Juric, Massimo Luongo, Alex Gersbach and Jackson Irvine making way.
Matthew Jurman got a yellow card barely two minutes in after a dangerous studs-up challenge. But it was a positive start early for Australia, with Aaron Mooy whipping in a free kick in the 12th minute that Honduran keeper Donis Escober had to punch away. Rogic was seeing plenty of ball and making some damaging forward runs.
The Socceroos were dominating possession but Honduras weathered the storm and closed them down. The Central American side went to ground easily and wasted time when they could. In the 35th minute Cahill created an opening down the left for Behich, who fired in a pass to Rogic but the Celtic man’s shot was straight at Escober.
In the 38th minute, Milligan was hauled down about 10 metres from the Honduran box, but the free kick led to nothing. Los Catrachos were forced to park the bus and resort to rare counter-attacks. Right before halftime, they had to make an early substitution when injury meant Emilio Izaguirre was stretchered off and replaced by Henry Figueroa.
In the 46th minute, Aaron Mooy was handed a yellow card, unluckily, and the first half ended 0-0. It was a low-quality first half, one of tension and nerves. The stalemate stayed until the 51st minute, when a mazy run from the excellent Rogic past several defenders drew a free kick a metre from the opposition box. Jedinak, who has barely played in months because of injury, stepped up and his shot deflected past Escober and in for a crucial goal. Ecstasy for the Aussies, agony for the Hondurans.
Honduras immediately upped its energy and intensity to desperately find an equalizer. But it was Australia who continued to dominate as just five minutes later a long-range header from Cahill hit the bar. In the 65th minute Cahill was replaced by striker Tom Juric. Five minutes later Jedinak struck again.
A penalty was rightfully given against Honduras for handball in the box. The centre midfielder calmly slotted the ball home to make it 2-0 to the delight of the near 78,000-strong crowd. Australia was on the plane to Russia.
In the final 18 minutes Los Catrachos went to its bench, bringing on both of its final substitutes. But it didn’t matter as soon Australia went 3-0 ahead. In the 85th minute Robbie Kruse was one on one with the keeper when he was badly hacked down from behind. Jedinak again stepped up and again nailed it from the spot to cap a marvelous night.
There was no doubt now, Australia were off to the 2018 World Cup. Right before full-time Honduras grabbed a goal when Albert Elis tucked the ball home from a corner. But it mattered little in the end, the Socceroos were victorious.
Since 2006 they have been in Germany, South Africa and Brazil, and now the green and gold are back once more at sport’s biggest event.
