World Cup Qualifiers 2024 LIVE updates: Socceroos miss early ...

Well, this hasn’t been fun at all. Not from a Socceroos perspective, at least, as I’d predicted.

The Saudis have been very lively and had the majority of possession in that half, and their pressure caused quite a few nervy moments as Australia tried and occasionally failed to play out from the back.

Socceroos skipper Jackson Irvine shoots for goal in the first half.Credit: Getty Images

They’ve also just looked generally more assured with the ball, and watching them stroke it around has been a reasonably stressful experience.

But it’s been the Socceroos who’ve had the better chances. They grew into the contest and, by rights, they should probably be at least one goal up, maybe two, with some golden chances burned towards the end of the half by hometown lads Ajdin Hrustic and Jackson Irvine.

Hrustic has been tidy and frustrating in equal measure. Mitch Duke hasn’t stopped running.

It’s half-time and he’s probably still running in the sheds.

This one’s on a knife’s edge.

The teams are tied 0-0 at half-time and Socceroos skipper Jackson Irvine will be wondering how he didn’t put his side ahead just before the break.

Irvine was leading a counterattack after a Saudi error, he had the ball in the box and chose to shoot but his shot drifted over the bar.

Ajdin Hrustic of the Socceroos.Credit: Getty Images

Irvine held his head after the miss, he couldn’t believe he didn’t convert.

It’s been that kind of half for the Socceroos.

AUS 0, KSA 0 at half-time.

Ajdin Hrustic had a prime opportunity to shoot from the top of the box after a poor Saudi turnover in defence.

The left-footer had time to settle and get over the ball but he went for placement over power and the keeper was able to dive low and hold onto the ball.

We are into injury time, six minutes, for the first half.

AUS 0, KSA 0 after 45 mins.

Perhaps the Saudis have reduced their pressure or the Socceroos midfielders are feeling more comfy but the home side has put together some nice passing in the last few minutes holding possession for much longer than earlier in the game.

The Saudi defence is still holding strong and looks typically well-organised while they are looking to waste time whenever there is a minor bruise to turn into a dramatic injury.

AUS 0, KSA 0 after 40 mins.

Jackson Irvine makes a pass for the Socceroos.Credit: Getty Images

It’s feast or famine for the Socceroos so far.

They have just created their best move of the half threading together five or six passes in midfield and getting the ball wide left to Jordy Bos who has looked dangerous when able to push forward.

Yasir Gharsan S Alshahrani of Saudi Arabia and Lewis Miller of the Socceroos.Credit: Getty Images

But his ball into Duke fell short.

Then at the other end, keeper Joe Gauci has his clearance kick blocked out of play by the Saudis.

AUS 0, KSA 0 after 31 mins.

No great shock how this match has gone so far - the Saudis were always going to start on the front foot and with plenty of energy thanks to Renard’s return.

So far, they’ve dominated possession without creating many meaningful attacks.

Feras Albrikan of Saudi Arabia controls the ball.Credit: Getty Images

For the Socceroos, it’s about weathering this storm and then making their opportunities count when they come at the other end.

Harry Souttar just spurned a terrific one from that free kick, though.

AUS 0, KSA 0 after 22 mins.

The ball came to ground from the free kick and Harry Souttar had the ball fall at his feet but blasted it over the bar.

That was a great opportunity.

AUS 0, KSA 0 after 18 mins.

Harry Souttar of the Socceroos stand alongside teammates during the signing of the national anthem.Credit: Getty Images