Sunderland's Bailey Wright helped Australia stay on course to qualify for this year's World Cup as the Socceroos defeated the United Arab Emirates in the Asian play-offs. Australia won 2-1 against UAE at Al Rayyan Stadium in Doha to book their place in Monday's inter-continental play-off final where they will meet Peru at the same venue.
The winners of that inter-continental play-off game will earn a place at the World Cup finals in Qatar in November. Defender Wright played the full 90 minutes against UAE, as former Burton Albion, Hull City, and Hibs midfielder Jackson Irvine put the Socceroos in front early in the second half.
Caio Canedo levelled soon afterwards, but Ajdin Hrustic scored the winning goal for Australia five minutes from full-time. Wright was a key member of the Sunderland side that secured promotion last season via the play-offs from League One to the Championship.
