‘More to come’: Mabil signals intent after winning start

Socceroos winger Awer Mabil has issued a warning to Group B after the Socceroos recommenced their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ qualification campaign. 

Goals from Mabil, Martin Boyle and Mitch Duke ensured that Australia made the perfect start to the next step of their World Cup qualifying as they brushed aside China 3-0 in Doha. 

WATCH: Match Highlights - Socceroos v China

The victory handed the Socceroos an early advantage in Group B and brought up another impressive milestone. 

Having now won their past nine successive games, something not seen since 1997, the Socceroos enter their next qualifier in their best form in almost 25 years but Mabil insists there is more to come. 

“We are here to make history so it’s really nice for the books but we have more to come,” Mabil said. 

We are only just getting started. I am really, really excited for what we are going to do.”

Mabil scored Australia’s first goal in the 24th-minute courtesy of a lofted back-post cross from Adam Taggart, who spotted the FC Midtjylland winger lurking with intent. 

Socceroos
Mabil celebrating after scoring against China

While Taggart provided the assist, a perfectly weighted 40-metre lob from Trent Sainsbury found Mabil darting in behind to create the chance. 

Mabil said his connection with Sainsbury was straight from the training paddock.

“Trent and I talked and obviously with Arnie, we practised the runs in behind,” Mabil explained.

“I saw Trent and Trent saw me. It’s a shame I couldn’t finish it the first time when he put the beautiful through ball in.

“But eventually Tags went and got the ball and crossed it back in so I just went for it and it hit the back of the net. It was really nice.” 

The goal was Mabil’s fifth goal in 17 caps for the Socceroos as he looks to pick up exactly where he left off in qualification. 

Mabil made the joint-most carries that ended in a scoring chance created during the second round of the 2022 Asian World Cup Qualifiers.

While the 25-year-old has only been representing the Socceroos since 2018, he explained just how proud he is to pull on the Green and Gold.

“It's a pleasure to always play for my country and every time I get the opportunity, I just want to do my best,” he said. 

“It's such a privilege, not everybody can play for their country so I'm really loving it every time I play for my country.”

WORLD CUP HUB UPDATE 2022