Honduras 0-0 Australia
After dominating their live betting game against Honduras, Australia are undoubtedly regretting their failure to take control of the World Cup intercontinental playoff.
Pre-match betting odds were against the Socceroos, but they proved they came to San Pedro Sula to win and that they are not a team that the Hondurans can comfortably handle, even in a hostile situation made to make them uncomfortable as possible.
Despite their stellar performance that surprised online betting fans, however, Australia just lacked the killer instinct necessary to win the game.
Australia controlled the match throughout and had a couple of opportunities to score in the first half. Midfielder Massimo Luongo had a clear attempt but his shot lacked power and was swiftly parried away by Honduras keeper Donis Escober.
Striker Tomi Juric, meanwhile, wasted his golden chance during a one-on-one opportunity, firing the ball wide over the net at the half hour.
Luongo and Juric continued to threaten after the break, but Escober remained rock-solid defensively and denied the two. The 36-year-old saved Luongo’s shot from the top of the box early in the second half before tipping away a Juric header.
Aussie right back Josh Risdon had the chance to set up Australia for another goal. Nonetheless, the 25-year-old failed to properly deliver to his teammates and instead sent the ball behind the unmarked Juric and Aziz Behich.
While Ange Postecoglou’s men struggled to finish, Honduras never really threatened in front of their fans. The home side did try their luck on the counter-attack, though to no avail.
The result of the first leg paves the way for a winner-takes-all finale at Sydney. The Socceroos, however, need a more polished performance if they want to upset the dreaming Catrachos.
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