‘The job is only half done’: Socceroos turn focus to Peru after crucial UAE win

Australia’s celebrations following victory over the United Arab Emirates have been tempered by an acceptance that the job is not yet complete, with focus quickly turning to next week’s final World Cup qualifying playoff against Peru.

A late Ajdin Hrustić volley gave Graham Arnold’s side a nervy but crucial win in Wednesday morning’s Asian playoff in Qatar, after Caio Canedo cancelled out Jackson Irvine’s opener. The 2-1 victory sets up a final must-win inter-continental playoff next Tuesday morning AEST as the Socceroos continue their bid to reach a fifth consecutive World Cup.

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Irvine’s opening strike set the scene for an important victory over the UAE, and he said it was a “great feeling”, but warned that the job was only half done with one final hurdle to overcome in the drawn-out efforts to secure a place at this year’s tournament in Qatar.

“Obviously it’s a great feeling,” he said. “But you have that moment of elation when the final whistle goes, and then straightaway you are focused. It’s a great result which means we can go into the week full of confidence. The job is only half done and we will have a tough preparation week again. Recover, get ready to go again. We have a great squad with a good energy about us, and I’m excited.”

Coach Arnold, who has been under intense pressure since Australia’s qualification campaign stuttered earlier this year, said the Socceroos knew the UAE would sit back, adding that he ensured his team would not play into the hands of the opposition.

“We made sure we stayed nice and compact the whole game,” he said. “I thought there was a lot less space for the opposition tonight. Overall I