China penalty call in World Cup qualifier the "correct decision": Socceroos great
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E-mail Xinhua, November 18, 2021
CANBERRA, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- An Australian football legend has said the decision to give China a penalty in the crucial World Cup qualifier was the "correct" call.
The Socceroos slumped to third place in Group B in the final round of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after drawing 1-1 with China in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Australia took the lead in the 38th minute and Wu Lei equalized for China in the 70th minute with a penalty kick after a VAR check on James Jeggo's handball inside the box.
Robbie Slater, who played for the Socceroos 44 times during a 19-year career, said it was a good decision.
"Jimmy Jeggo had a bit of brain snap with the way he jumped with both arms flailing in the air. Given the way football is at the moment, awarding a penalty for that was the correct decision," he was quoted by The Australian on Thursday.
The result lifted Australia to 11 points, five adrift of Group B leader Saudi Arabia, who beat the tail-ending Vietnam 1-0 earlier on Tuesday. Japan climbed up to second place in the group with 12 points after a 1-0 away victory over Oman.
China's tally of five points means it still has an arduous task ahead with four games remaining.
Only the top two teams from groups A and B qualify directly for the tournament, with the third-placed nations to go into a play-off - the same route Australia took to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Missing qualification for the World Cup for the first time since 2002 would be considered a failure in Australia.
However, Slater said he was glad that the Socceroos were being made to work hard for a place in Qatar.
He said Australia must win qualifying games against Vietnam and Oman in January and February, setting up do-or-die clashes with group leaders Saudi Arabia and Japan in March.
"This is cut-throat World Cup qualifying - this is what you want," Slater said.
"I don't understand the expectations people have. They think we're just going to waltz through every World Cup qualifying campaign and qualify easily.
"All the games are very tight." Enditem
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