Playmaker Tom Rogic says the emphatic win over Jordan was a reward for complete performance by the Caltex Socceroos.
Needing only a draw to top Group B and progress in FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifying, Ange Postecoglou’s side did it in style winning 5-1 at Allianz Stadium.And just like he did off the bench against Tajikistan on Thursday, Rogic tormented Jordan with his dazzling skills and getting a goal to go with his two in Adelaide.
“It’s always good to score and nice to get another one tonight. The main thing is we got the result and could have had one or two more,” Rogic said on Fox Sports afterwards.
Socceroos thrash Redknapp's Jordan
“It was a good performance. We started well. It was a bit tense the first 5-10 minutes and then we opened them up and from then we did what we did.
“We could have been more clinical could have had a few more goals.
“Tonight we fixed the errors [we committed in the 2-0 loss in Amman] and got the result which didn’t flatter us at all.”
After missing out on the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the AFC Asian Cup triumph due to injury, Rogic is making up for lost time this season for both country and club side Celtic.
He’s scored some outstanding goals this season and some of his skill and trickery has been a joy to watch.
“I’m not getting carried away,” he said.
“I’m pleased with the season to date with my club and international but I still feel I have a lot to give and a lot more to improve on.
“I just have to keep working and hopefully that will happen.”
Massimo Luongo was another player who scored in both these last two qualifiers, this time coming off the bench to score the fifth and final goal for the Socceroos.
The QPR midfielder was also impressed with his side’s display and feels they can still go to a new level.
“We have loads of belief. They [Jordan] are a good side and at the Asian Cup they did well,” Luongo said.
“So that’s the standard of teams we’re going to face and this is just the benchmark for us.
“We set it to what it is this whole qualifying phase and we need to continue that into the next round.”
With this qualifying phase now done, the Socceroos will next be in action against England on May 27 (May 28 Australian time).
Before that though is the crucial draw for the next stage of AFC qualifying on April 12, where the Socceroos will learn the five other nations in their group.