Socceroos make horror start to World Cup qualifiers as Bahrain snatch victory
Bahrain stun Australia 0-1 with 89th-minute own goalKusini Yengi sees red for high boot in third round of qualification
A 10-man Socceroos outfit has suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Bahrain on the Gold Coast in a disastrous setback to their hopes of direct World Cup qualification. Striker Kusini Yengi was red-carded for a high challenge then the Socceroos were red-faced by an 89th-minute own goal, against the run of play, as Bahrain frustrated their way to a maiden win over Australia.
The loss, in the side’s first game on the Gold Coast, is a massive setback to begin the third round of qualifying that continues in Jakarta against Indonesia on Tuesday. Only the top two sides in a pool that also includes China, Japan and Saudi Arabia will earn direction qualification to the 2026 showpiece.
