‘Amazing feeling’: Yengi reflects on maiden Socceroos goal
Subway Socceroos striker Kusini Yengi scored his first Socceroos goal on Tuesday to help book Australia’s place in the next round of qualifying.
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The Socceroos flew out of the blocks in front of a sold-out crowd of 25,023 in Canberra with Yengi opening the scoring within the first five minutes after getting on the end of a delightful low cross from Craig Goodwin to reignite their Adelaide connection.
The early goal sent the Socceroos on the way to a 5-0 win over Lebanon and a fourth successive win in Group I to ensure progress to the next stage of World Cup qualifying with two matches to spare.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/Socceroos/status/1772548781642297395
The goal marked Yengi’s first at senior level for Australia and he could not hide his emotions post-match.
“It's an amazing feeling,” Yengi told Socceroos.com.au.
“It’s a moment that I've been looking forward to for a while now in the few games that I've played.
"Over my journey to get here, it's something that I've dreamed about and it's finally come true so I’m very happy.”
Yengi, 25, is brimming with confidence at the moment.
The Portsmouth FC man has bagged 11 goals in 24 appearances since moving to the League One leaders this season and a first goal in Green and Gold will only help his club form.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/Socceroos/status/1772552937568436683
Despite only making his Socceroos debut in November before earning his first start against Uzbekistan at the Asian Cup, Yengi has signalled his intent to fill the brief up front.
“It wasn't my best performance but I'm here to score goals and I scored a goal today,” Yengi said post-match.
“We got the win to help us qualify for the next round so I’m happy with my contribution and with the effort from the team.”
Yengi’s goal was supplied by his former Adelaide United teammate, Goodwin.
Coincidentally, he also provided the assist for Yengi’s first-ever Reds goal in March 2021.
“Goody is a player that I came through playing with in Adelaide, he assisted my first ever professional goal and now my first ever Socceroos goal,” Yengi said.
“It was a special moment and I’m very happy to share it with him and for the assist to come from him.”
The victory means the Socceroos are through to the next round with two matches still to play - against Bangladesh and Palestine in June.
