Saudi Arabia 1-2 Australia Player Ratings: Australia secure World Cup berth with a nervy victory

Saudi Arabia had to win this game by 5 goals or more to stand a chance of qualifying and started the game exactly that way. It was all Saudi as Australia were unable to cope with the intensity of their hosts, who were buoyed by a vociferous home crowd. The intensity told off as Saudi took the lead and deservedly so. Al-Dawsari's cross deflected off Ryan and found Alobud, who almost overran the ball before bundling it into an empty net.

Just when it felt like Saudi Arabia was running away with it, Australia equalised courtesy of Connor Metcalfe to knock the sting out of their sails. Australia then went on to take the lead as Mitchell Duke rose the highest among all and put a bullet header into the back of the net.

Saudi felt like they would play with 10 men after Majrashi was given a straight red, but VAR intervened to overturn the decision. Saudi had a chance to level things late in the second half, but Al-Dawsari's penalty was excellently saved by Ryan as the final whistle blew to secure World Cup Qualification for the Socceroos. Here are the Saudi Arabia National Team vs Australia National Team Player Ratings.

Saudi Arabia National Football Team Player Ratings vs Australia

Goalkeeper

Nawaf Al-Aqidi- 5/10

Should have done better for the first Australian goal, having gone down too easily. Powerless to stop the second goal.

Defenders

Ali Majrashi- 4/10

Majrashi was clearly a step behind the rest of his defensive teammates as he felt off-sync for most of the game. He was very lucky not to get sent off as VAR overturned his straight red card.

Nawaf Boushal- 5/10

He was strong in the tackle. Won 2 out of his 3 ground duels and had a pass completion rate of 93%.

Abdulelah Al-Amri- 5/10

Al-Amri was culpable of leaving a huge gap in the centre for the Australian equaliser. He was also guilty of giving away the ball by losing possession 10 times in the game.

Ziyad Aljohani- 5/10

An all-round performance that has seen him get in midfield on occasion. Tackles, blocks, interceptions, as well as crosses. He did a little bit of everything as his side chased the goals in the second half.

Midfielders

Hassan Kadesh- 5.5/10

Had a busy outing in the middle of the park as the destroyer. Broke play on multiple occasions as he made his fair share of interceptions and blocks.

Mohamed Kanno- 5.5/10

Was everywhere. Won 2 out of his 5 ground duels, won both of his aerial duels to keep the Australian midfield from dictating terms. Had a couple of shots that were saved by the Australian keeper.

Musab Al Juwayr- 5.5/10

He was on the constant lookout for his teammates as he kept floating the ball long in dangerous areas. Tried taking on his opponents, too, but had limited success in that regard in the game.

Forwards

Firas Al-Buraikan- 6/10

Excellent hold-up play in the build-up to the first goal as he used his physicality to great effect before releasing the ball perfectly. Al-Buraikan was a constant headache for the Australian defense, which had a tough time handling him.

Abdulrahman Alobud- 6/10

Was on hand to tap in the opening goal of the game after almost overrunning it in the first place. However, showed great awareness in being at the right place at the time of the cross being delivered.

Salem Al-Dawsari- 6.5/10

The talismanic Saudi skipper was practically everywhere for his side. It was his jinking run that created the goal for his side. At times, it felt like there were two of him on the pitch, given that he popped up everywhere, much to Saudi Arabia's wish that there were actually two of them. Best player for his side on the pitch by a country mile. However, he tarnished his performance a bit as he saw his penalty saved late in the second half.

Substitutes

Saud Abdulrahman- 5/10

A late sub. Did not make much of an impact.

Nasser Al-Dawsari- 5/10

He was a presence towards the end, but could not make his desired impact.

Marwan Alsahfi- 5/10

Had three chances, the most notable of them from the rebound of the saved penalty, which he poked wide. He was good in his cameo on the pitch.

Hassan Al Tambakti- N/A

A late sub. Failed to make an impact.

Saleh Al-Shehri- N/A

A late sub. Failed to make an impact.

Manager

Hervé Renard- 5/10

The manager set up his side to go on the attack from the first minute, and it was expected that they would be caught out eventually. However, he did manage to get his team attacking, and would have had a different result had a few chances gone their way.

Australia National Team Player Ratings vs Saudi Arabia

Goalkeeper

Matt Ryan- 7/10

The Aussie skipper marked his 100th appearance by palming Al-Dawasari's cross into the path of Alobud, who tapped it in an empty net. He was assured and composed thereafter as he dominated his box well and commanded his backline effectively. His moment of the match came as he excellently saved Al-Dawsari's penalty to keep the score at 2-1

Defenders

Lewis Miller- 4/10

The defender was given an absolute rinsing by Salem Al-Dawsari as the Saudi skipper turned him inside out time and time again. Not once did it feel like Miller would be able to get the better of him. However, did his bit with his aerial prowess.

Aziz Behich- 5.5/10

An off night as he was just not able to make himself a factor in the game at all. Was peripheral throughout despite being a defender in the game.

Cameron Burgess- 6/10

A robust and strong outing by the Ipswich Town defender. Won all his ground and aerial duels, and also managed to more than hold his own against the Saudi number 9 in a physical battle against him.

Midfielders

Milos Degenek- 6/10

Did the simple things right. Kept the ball ticking and looked for the switch diagonally whenever he got the ball, and managed to do it rather successfully as well.

Mitchell Duke- 8/10

Australia's best performer. Excellent bit of skill in holding the ball for just the right time before expertly releasing Metcalfe for the equaliser. He then helped himself with a goal as well as he rose highest to head home with a thumping header in the 6-yard box.

Aiden O'Neill- 5.5/10

Put in a rather impressive shift for the Socceroos in the middle of the park. Broke up play well and kept the ball ticking as well as he did his best to influence proceedings.

Patrick Yazbek- 5.5/10

Yazbek was the weakest link on his side's midfield/wing, as he clearly looked out of place in the game. He was substituted and rightfully so.

Forwards

Jason Geria- 5/10

He was having a decent game until his reckless challenge conceded a penalty and was lucky to see his skipper save his blushes with a brilliant save.

Connor Metcalfe- 7/10

Took his goal extremely well and showed excellent composure as he dinked the ball over the keeper. He was good in the build-up and was useful for his side in the later exchanges.

Martin Boyle- 6/10

Assisted the second Australian goal with a beautiful set-piece into the box. Ran the channels well as Australia sought to keep the ball with them.

Substitutes

Riley McGree- 5/10

Was brought to hold on to the lead. Did his bit.

Mohamed Toure- 5/10

Was brought to hold on to the lead. Did his bit.

Ryan Teague- N/A

A late sub. Did not make much of an impact.

Marco Tilio- N/A

A late sub. Did not make much of an impact.

Anthony Caceres- N/A

A late sub. Did not make much of an impact.

Manager

Tony Popovic- 7/10

The unbeaten run continues as the new manager's bounce has taken Australia to next year's World Cup. Put pragmatism first and saw his team capitalise on key moments to emerge victorious.

Sportsdunia Player of the Match goes to Mitchell Duke