Tamas Kadar own goal gifts Australia injurytime 2-1 win over Hungary
Three defensive howlers have produced three goals in Australia’s final hit-out on the road to the World Cup, with Daniel Arzani netting a debut international goal in a 2-1 win over Hungary.
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, crossing into the legs of Hungary captain Tamas Kadar, who trickled home past calamity keeper Denes Dibusz.
Dibusz was already to blame for Arzani’s opener, on just his second appearance for Australia.
The 19-year-old scored within a minute of coming into the fray at Budapest’s Groupama Arena, striking from long-range past Dibusz.
Unsighted or otherwise, the custodian completely missed the bouncing effort to give Australia the lead.
Despite the teenager’s momentous moment, the Melbourne City man 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, with little of note before it, but madcap scenes afterwards.
In sight of a third-straight clean sheet, Sainsbury’s headed back-pass wrong-footed substitute gloveman 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.
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 were 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 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.