Four debuts as CommBank Socceroos defeat Qatar 3-0

The CommBank Socceroos have defeated Qatar 3-0 in the first international friendly of the November window.

First-half goals for Riley McGree, Tete Yengi and Nestory Irankunda were enough to secure the dominant result for Australia.

It was a special night for four debutants in the second half – Eli Adams, Samuel Klein, Kasey Bos and Diesel Herrington – while the likes of Gianni Stensness and Kusini Yengi returned to the side after long periods of absence.

Head Coach Tony Popovic made one change to the side that took on Brazil in the two-game friendly series last month. Riley McGree came into the starting eleven, replacing Jackson Irvine, who was left out of the squad for this window.

The game started in the best possible manner for Australia. A mistake from Qatar goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada gave the ball to Riley McGree with an open net in front of him. McGree made no mistake, scoring his second international goal.

Popovic’s men continued the attack as the half wore on. Alessandro Circati forced a good save after steaming into the box on a counterattack, while McGree hit a lovely volley that was blasted over the crossbar.

The second was scored in the 32nd minute. Australia once again intercepted the ball high, with Connor Metcalfe getting in the way of a clearance. He played it to Tete Yengi in the box, who picked out the bottom corner with aplomb. It was also his second international goal, in his sixth cap.

Metcalfe was once again involved in the third. He did well to steal the ball from Qatar, finding Nestory Irankunda on the edge of the penalty area. Irankunda drove the ball firmly past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net to give the CommBank Socceroos a three goal advantage before half-time.

The scoreline was reflective of a dominant first 45 minutes on the stats sheet for the Socceroos, who did not allow Qatar much of the ball or any chances to shoot on goal.

There was one change for Australia at half-time. Kusini Yengi returned for the first time since 2024, replacing his brother Tete up top.

Further changes came in the 65th minute, and they were big ones. Eli Adams and Sam Klein became CommBank Socceroos #663 and #664 when they replaced Riley McGree and Jacob Italiano respectively. 

Elsewhere, Marcus Younis earned his third cap, replacing Nestory Irankunda. Gianni Stensness returned for his first appearance since 2022 in defence, replacing Alessandro Circati at the back, while Jason Geria came on in midfield for Paul Okon-Engstler.

Qatar finally had their first shot of the game in the 72nd minute. While they had some brighter moments in the second half, they continued to struggle to threaten Patrick Beach’s goal.

Kasy Bos became CommBank Socceroo #665 five minutes later, coming on for Aziz Behich. He wore the #5 jersey of his brother, Jordy, who remains unavailable due to injury for this window.

Diesel Herrington became the fourth debutant of the evening - CommBank Socceroo #666 - in the 81st minute. He replaced his brother, Lucas, at the back. It marks a meteoric rise for the older Herrington who has thrived with the Central Coast Mariners this season.

Qatar had the ball in the back of the net late through Yusuf Abdurisag. The centre forward was well offside, however, and was called back as a result.

It was a satisfying result for the CommBank Socceroos, who secured their first victory since defeating Türkiye in the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Attention now turns to the second match of the window against Jordan.

Match Summary

Qatar: 0
Australia: 3 (McGree 5’, T. Yengi 32’, Irankunda 40’) 

Qatar: 1. Mahmud Abunada, 2. Issa Laye (24. Niall Mason 62’), 10. Hassan Al-Haydos (9. Yusuf Abdurisag 46’), 11. Akram Afif (6. Abdulaziz Hatem 72’), 12. Karim Boudiaf (7. Admed Alaaeldin 62’), 13. Ayoub Al Oui (5. Tarek Salman 62’), 16. Boualem Khoukhi (15. Bassam Al-Rawi 62’), 18. Sultan Al Brake (4. Jassem Gaber 62’), 19. Almoez Ali (8. Edmilson Junior 62’), 20. Ahmed Fathi (14. Homam Elamin 46’), 23. Assim Madibo (26. Mohamed Manai 72’)

Unused substitutes: 21. Salah Zakaria (GK), 22. Meshaal Bersham (GK), 3. Yousef Aymen, 17. Ahmed Al Ganehi, 25. Ibrahim Al-Hassan

Yellow Cards: 23. Assim Madibo 67’

Australia: 18. Patrick Beach, 3. Alessandro Circati (2. Gianni Stensness 65’), 4. Jacob Italiano (23. Samuel Klein 65’), 8. Connor Metcalfe, 10. Nestory Irankunda (11. Marcus Younis 65’), 14. Riley McGree (20. Eli Adams 65’), 16. Aziz Behich (5. Kasey Bos 77’), 19. Harry Souttar, 24. Paul Okon-Engstler (6. Jason Geria 65’), 25. Lucas Herrington (17. Diesel Herrington 81’), 26. Tete Yengi (9. Kusini Yengi 46’)

Unused substitutes: 1. Tom Glover (GK), 12. Joe Gauci (GK), 13. Daniel Arzani, 21. Kealey Adamson, 22. Thomas Waddingham

Yellow Cards: 20. Eli Adams 84’