Mitch Duke unleashes the strike which led to Australia’s opening goal,ultimately awarded to Harry Souttar (right).

Mitch Duke unleashes the strike which led to Australia’s opening goal,ultimately awarded to Harry Souttar (right).Credit:Getty

“On another night,we could have five or six,and we should have,” Arnold said. “We dominated the game in that way. When we come up against the smaller nations in Asia,we’ve got to be more brutal when it comes to those chances.”

Unlike the last time an Australian team retained the Ashes in England,the locals were largely none the wiser.

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The rest of the country was watching England’s European qualifier against Italy at Wembley Stadium being played at the same time,but a boisterous crowd of 5761 mostly Antipodean expats braved the cold at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium to take in this clash.

Among them were scouts from 15 clubs across Europe,including English Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United as well as Bayern Munich,Rangers and Empoli.

Euro 2024 qualifying results

  • England 3 Italy 1
  • Malta 1 Ukraine 3
  • Serbia 3 Montenegro 1
  • Lithuania 2 Hungary 2
  • Finland 1 Kazakhstan 2
  • Northern Ireland 0 Slovenia 1
  • San Marino 1 Denmark 2

They would have been impressed with some of the flashes shown by Arnold’s starters. He made five changes from Friday night’s gallant 1-0 defeat to England – including a long-awaited debut for Alessandro Circati,the Parma defender who has opted to represent Australia over Italy.

Circati had been in two prior Socceroos camps without getting a run but looked immediately comfortable at the level,paired with Harry Souttar in the centre of defence,with Lewis Miller on the right,Aziz Behich on the left and Jordan Bos used on the left wing.

He even grabbed an assist,heading Miller’s cross into the box in the 13th minute to set up Mitchell Duke to smack the opener into the net. His first-time shot,however,clipped the chest of Harry Souttar,who was initially credited with the goal before the match officials - quite rightly - gave it back to Duke in their final report.

Massimo Luongo was alsohanded his first appearance for the Socceroos since the 2019 Asian Cup,picking right up where he left off four years ago with an assured performance in midfield.

Jackson Irvine finds the back of the net for Australia’s second goal.

Jackson Irvine finds the back of the net for Australia’s second goal.Credit:Getty

Arnold did not send on any other inexperienced players until deep into the second half,with midfield stalwart Jackson Irvine coming off the bench to head in Australia’s second goal in the 76th minute,while Brandon Borrello and Craig Goodwin were also subbed in.

“I thought the first half was some of the best football was played in a while,” Irvine said.

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“The boys were outstanding,front to back,played with confidence,found solutions. Obviously,we wanted to build on how good the defensive display was against England and create more chances and be more positive with the ball. I thought we were. Everyone was very good.”

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