Socceroos find a surprise answer to their goals

Before Graham Arnold took up the post of head coach after the World Cup last year, the veteran duo had contributed 42% of the goals (38 out of 90) that the Australia had scored in the previous four years.

The Arnold team for the Asian Cup this month had not yet a player with 10 goals or more to their name in the colors of the national team.

Take a step forward Awer Mabil.

The 23-year-old winger has played seven games with Australia since his first match in Arnold's first match against Kuwait last October.

In that period, Mabil scored four goals, including a left-foot curler who defeated Syria in Al Ain's dramatic 3-2 clash on Tuesday.

His international record is improved only by five players from Arnold's team – Robbie Kruse (5), Mat Leckie (8), Mbadimo Luongo (6), Mark Milligan (6) and Tom Rogic (9) – all these players having more than 40 capsules.

This is an excellent form of goalscorer at Mabil clubs, which has scored five goals in 16 games this season for FC Midtjylland, Denmark's Superliga champion.

"It's easy to score goals when the team is behind you," said Mabil.

"For the players ahead, it 's something unbelievable.

"It's really a click for our team and we have a lot to give and learn."

Mabil will again top the Australian standings against Japan or Uzbekistan next Monday in Al Ain for a quarter-final spot in the Asian Cup.

The South Sudanese refugee says he does not fear socceroos, even though he is Japan's four-time champion of Asia.

"We're all clicking ahead and we're having fun," said Mabil.

"It's exciting for Australian fans … I really like being in this environment."