The Socceroos edged closer to the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a 2-1 win over the UAE on Tuesday and match-winner Ajdin Hrustic says Peru hold no fear.
Australia are priced at 500/1 to win the World Cup and now only Peru stand between them and a place in the finals in Qatar later this year.
Hrustic the hero
The Socceroos had to battle hard to make it through the first play-off clash against the UAE. Jackson Irvine had put Graham Arnold’s men in front on 53 minutes, but the UAE were soon back on level terms.
Caio Canedo fired home from close range of 57 minutes, but the Socceroos responded well. Eintracht Frankfurt star Hrustic’s importance to Australia was talked up ahead of the game as Tom Rogic was unavailable to play and he stepped up to deliver the winner six minutes from time.
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Now a clash with Peru, who are ranked 22nd in the world, is the next challenge. The Socceroos are being written off by many but Hrustic says they have what it takes to go through. And hard work will be the key
No fear
"We don't need to have fear," Hrustic said looking ahead to the clash. "We're preparing well and we deserved this win.
"We're going to prepare for the next game, we've got some time and time is always great.
"We can work on our defensive tactics and our offensive tactics and then I think it will pay off at the end."
