How Jackson Irvine spared the blushes of Hibs team mate Martin Boyle in Australia's win over Kuwait

Two Hibs players combined in unorthodox fashion to score for Australia during a World Cup qualifier victory in Kuwait on Thursday night.

By Matthew Elder

Published 3rd Jun 2021, 22:18 BST- 1 min read

Updated 3rd Jun 2021, 22:40 BST

Jackson Irvine (l) celebrates after scoring the rebound from Martin Boyle's saved penalty as Australia defeated Kuwait in a World Cup qualifier at the Jaber Al-Ahmad Stadium in Kuwait City (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Winger Martin Boyle saw a first half penalty saved by home goalkeeper Sulaiman Abdulghafour, only for Jackson Irvine to bury the rebound and spare the blushes of his Easter Road team mate.

It was the second goal in a 3-0 win for the Aussies at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City, the match taking place in the Kuwait capital after the Socceroos lost home advantage due to Covid-19 protocols in Australia.

Aberdeen-born Boyle won his fifth cap for his adopted country while midfielder Irvine took his tally of international appearances to 35 in what was Australia's first fixture since November 2019.

Both Hibs men completed the full 90 minutes alongside former Hearts defender Ryan McGowan.

It remains to be seen whether the pair will remain team mates at club level since, after joining Hibs on a short-term deal in January, Irvine has yet to commit to a contract offer to remain at Easter Road next season.

The match was the first of four World Cup qualifiers Australia face over the next fortnight with Chinese Taipei next up on Monday before matches against Nepal on June 11 and Jordan on June 15.

Meanwhile, Hearts striker Liam Boyce was an unused substitute in Northern Ireland’s 1-0 friendly defeat in Ukraine.

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