View: Portsmouth man Kusini Yengi must fight for Australia spot after 33% showing v Bahrain
Portsmouth striker Kusini Yengi produced a poor showing that ended in dismissal as Australia suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Bahrain on Thursday (5 September).
Just as he was getting into his stride in the green and gold of the Socceroos, a red card for a high foot on defender Sayed Baqer compounded a dismal Australian display to start off their AFC Asian World Cup qualifying Group C campaign.
Yengi started the match as the lone striker for Graham Arnold’s team but struggled against on-paper inferior opposition on the Gold Coast, and will now be suspended for Tuesday’s trip to Indonesia with a task to fight his way back into the XI.
Portsmouth man Kusini Yengi has day to forget v Bahrain
Yengi has four goals in nine caps for the senior Australia side, a healthy record – but has now nosedived his chances of continuing his momentum following the second-half incident.
The Socceroos had always beaten Bahrain without conceding in previous meetings, but only mustered four shots on target in a game presumed by many to be a formality – and none from Yengi.
The 25-year-old did have one chance which was miscued wide, but was otherwise well shepherded and marked tightly by the Bahrain side until his 77th-minute high boot saw him given his marching orders.
Until then, it was a frustrating enough night. Alongside Yengi’s barren game in front of goal, Fotmob match data showed he only touched the ball 22 times and attempted just nine passes – seven played accurately [78%] as he struggled to get involved.
By contrast, when often a sub for Portsmouth last season, he averaged 14.8 touches per 34 minutes played (his average time on the pitch in 2023-24) [Sofascore].
He won 67% of his six aerial duels but only 33% of his six challenges on the ground, as the Bahraini defence largely shut he and his attacking teammates out.
With the likes of Mitch Duke, Adam Taggart and teenage wonderkid Nestory Irankunda all capable up top, Yengi has a fight on his hands to return to his perch as Arnold’s first-choice Aussie frontman.
In other Portsmouth news, Rich Hughes explains Gavin Whyte’s mutual departure from Fratton Park.
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