Socceroo silences 'keyboard warriors' with heroics
Mitch Duke wasn't even supposed to be a part of the Socceroos' past two World Cup qualifiers.
Then he sealed Australia's sixth consecutive World Cup finals appearance.
Duke, who for a second consecutive window was left out of Tony Popovic's squad only to earn a late reprieve, is soaking it all in.
The veteran striker came off the bench in the 1-0 win over Japan that effectively sealed automatic qualification for the 2026 tournament.
Then, Popovic called on Duke to start against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, where Australia only needed to avoid defeat by less than five goals.
After conceding the opener, things looked dangerous for Australia.
Then, in the 42nd minute, Duke teed up Connor Metcalfe to score the equaliser.
Three minutes after halftime, the much-maligned veteran striker glanced home a header to put Australia in front with his first goal since January 2024.
"I wasn't even supposed to be here, to be honest," Duke said.
"Mat Leckie got injured, and I was a late call-up.''
He joked: "Got the voodoo doll out and maybe injured Leckie. Nah, kidding, sorry, mate.
"But it feels good, and probably a good way to silence some of the keyboard warriors as well. Feels good."
The veteran striker had previously been open about said keyboard warriors and critics on social media coming for him after he missed chances in Australia's Asian Cup quarter-final exit last year.
He also relished Australia's turnaround in qualifying after Tony Popovic took over from Graham Arnold, who resigned after a loss and draw in his first two games.
"It feels damn good," Duke said.
"Not the best start (to qualifying) to be honest, and to get us here, into automatic qualification, we haven't done that for a while, just feels unbelievable.
"Personal triumph feels very good, but I'm more happy just for the boys.
"It's a game of big moments as well, and everyone stepped up when they needed to."
Duke knows he will have to keep kicking up a gear to retain his spot ahead of next year's tournament in north America.
"Mate, all I can do is take the opportunities when they're presented to me, do well at club football, and hope I just keep doing well, and that's all you can do," he said.
"And to be fair, there's a lot of young players up and coming.
"Mo Toure when he came on, he's an absolute beast.
"So I think there's exciting prospects as well, especially with the strikers and the young ones."
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