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World Cup bolter Tete Yengi celebrated his Socceroos debut with an equalising goal as Tony Popovic’s side drew 1-1 with Switzerland in their final pre-tournament warm-up in San Diego.
Last-minute addition Cristian Volpato also made his debut as Popovic made seven changes to the starting XI that lost 1-0 to Mexico in Pasadena a week ago.
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Much has been made of Volpato’s decision to change his allegiance from Italy to the country of birth, and the Serie A winger showed his talents at times before being subbed off at half time, but Yengi stole the show.
The 25-year-old towering striker opened his international goalscoring account with a simple tap-in in the 56th minute after Cameron Burgess’ long ball from the back caught the Swiss napping.
Aziz Behich and substitute Connor Metcalfe charged forward down the left hand side with St Pauli midfielder Metcalfe delivering a straightforward pass across the goal to allow Yengi to put the ball into an open net.
Yengi was a surprise call-up, but he caught Popovic’s eye with an impressive year so far, bagging goals in the J-League and AFC Champions League for Japanese club Machida Zelvia.
Harry Souttar donned the captain’s armband for the first time – becoming the 66th Socceroo to lead the nation – as Popovic opted to keep his preferred centre back trio that also includes Alessandro Circati and Lucas Herrington.
Aiden O’Neill remained in midfield too, but otherwise it was a vastly different looking Socceroos outfit against the world No.19.
Patrick Beach made just his second international appearance, standing in for usual captain Mat Ryan in goal, while Kai Trewin and Aziz Behich started in place of Jacob Italiano and Jordan Bos in the wide defensive positions.
O’Neill was joined in the middle of the park by Paul Okon-Englstler as new comers Yengi and Volpato combined with Nestory Irankunda in attack.
The Swiss, who have made it out of the group at the last three World Cups, started at nearly full strength and they flexed their muscles early in the contest.
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Nottingham Forest’s Dan Ndoye gave them the lead in the 14th minute as he snuck out the back of the Socceroos defence and got on the end of an excellent pass from Sunderland skipper Granit Xhaka.
It continued the trend of Popovic’s tenure that the Australians have been slow starters before building their way into the match.
The tide began to turn before the main break as Souttar looked dangerous at the back post when Volpato swung in a free kick to the towering defender, but the ball took a touch for a Swiss head and sailed wide of the post.
Irankunda looked the most likely for Australia for most of the first hour, however.
The 20-year-old Watford winger produced two eye-catching runs in the first half that came unstuck because of a sloppy pass and a professional foul to halt his charge.
He then had Swiss hearts in mouths shortly after the restart when he fired a long-range strike into the crossbar.
Shortly after, Australia’s opening finally emerged via Yengi.
The Socceroos also showed in the second half that they would not take a backwards step as a scuffle broke out in the friendly match.
Irankunda sparked a spot fire just before the second half drinks break when Xhaka was fouled and the young Australian picked up a yellow card for kicking the ball into the Swiss captain’s backside while he was on the ground.
It created a little bit of push and shove as well as feisty words before both teams headed for their water bottles.
Popovic rung the changes in the second half to get minutes into as many legs as possible.
Goalkeeper Beach was the only Socceroo to play the full 90 minutes, while Popovic will also be pleased that he managed to get every single outfield player in the squad on the pitch in the two friendlies against Switzerland and Mexico.
The Socceroos’ World Cup opener is up next against Türkiye in Vancouver at 2pm AEST on Sunday 14 June.
