Three defensive mistakes led to three goals in Australia’s final friendly on the road to the World Cup, with Daniel Arzani scoring a debut international goal in a 2-1 win over Hungary in Budapest.
Arzani struck in the 74th minute before Trent Sainsbury’s late own goal appeared to salvage a draw for Hungary.
Jackson Irvine’s determination ensured the Socceroos would come out on top as his cross into the legs of Hungary captain Tamas Kadar trickled home past goalkeeper Denes Dibusz.
Dibusz, in just his second appearance for Australia, was already to blame for Arzani’s opener.
The 19-year-old scored within a minute of coming into the fray at the Groupama Arena, striking from long range.
Unsighted or otherwise, Dibusz completely missed the bouncing effort to give Australia the lead.
Arzani simply and calmly walked to the corner to celebrate, touching the ground and embracing his teammates.
The goal changed the pace of the otherwise tepid encounter.
In sight of a third-straight clean sheet, Sainsbury’s headed back-pass wrong-footed substitute keeper Brad Jones to trickle into the net for an embarrassing equaliser.
As Hungary were set to salvage a draw, Irvine chased down a long ball in the 92nd minute to produce another defensive kerfuffle.
The result continues Australia’s momentum on the road to Russia, where tournament heavyweights France await on June 16.
But it was far from a vintage display.
Australia coach Bert van Marwijk summed it up in one word when asked to describe the performance.
“Bad,” he said. “Especially in the first half.
“But you saw after the 1-1 the team, that they didn’t think about 1-1. They wanted to win. That’s positive.”
Fielding the same XI that beat Czech Republic 4-0 a week earlier, coach Bert van Marwijk did not see a similar performance.
The Socceroos showed low intensity, unable to penetrate or get creative force Tom Rogic on the ball.
Rogic had just two touches in the opening 40 minutes, when Australia’s best chances fell to Robbie Kruse.
Kruse volleyed Aaron Mooy’s curved cross onto the crossbar but was flagged offside, and then skied Mat Leckie’s cut-back over the goal.
Hungary’s attacks were more opportunistic than well-orchestrated.
Their most spectacular effort, a first-time volley from Laszlo Kleinheisler, would have contended for goal of the year but dipped onto the crossbar before bouncing out.
Mat Ryan was on hand to make a one-on-one save from Adam Szalai to preserve a deadlock into the break.
Rogic’s dribbling provided an outlet for Australia after half-time, when Mile Jedinak and Tomi Juric entered the fray.
It took another substitute, Irvine, to get a shot on target after an hour of play before Arzani set the Socceroos on their way to another win.
“Morally, it was good,” Van Marwijk said. “We won, but I already told my players I wasn’t satisfied.”