Bahrain stuns Australia in World Cup qualifier with late own goal

In a shocking turn of events, the Socceroos faced a 1-0 defeat against Bahrain during their World Cup qualifier match on the Gold Coast. The Australian team, reduced to 10 men after Kusini Yengi received a red card in the 77th minute, struggled to convert their possession into goals. Despite dominating the game with 70% possession and more than double the passes of their opponents, they only managed four shots on target, leaving Bahrain's goalkeeper largely untroubled. Bahrain's strategy involved a strong defensive setup, frustrating the Socceroos and capitalizing on their mistakes. The match took a decisive turn in the 89th minute when an own goal from Australia sealed their fate. Coach Graham Arnold noted the physical readiness of the Bahraini team and highlighted the challenges posed by their defensive tactics, which included play-acting that disrupted the flow of the game. The loss marks a significant setback for Australia as they begin the third round of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. With only the top two teams from their group, which includes China, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, earning direct qualification, the pressure is on for the Socceroos to recover in their upcoming matches. Bahrain's coach praised his team's performance, emphasizing their determination to secure the three points. This victory represents a historic achievement for Bahrain, marking their first win over Australia, and sets the stage for a competitive qualifying campaign ahead.