WATCH: Socceroos trounce Vietnam to boost World Cup qualification hopes

The Socceroos have got their automatic qualification hopes for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ back on track after a convincing 4-0 win over Vietnam on Thursday night.

In front of almost 28,000 fans in Melbourne, Australia rediscovered their attacking mojo to snap their three-game winless run in this phase of qualifying and keep the pressure on Group B leaders Saudi Arabia and Japan.

Even with coach Graham Arnold forced to watch from his hotel room due to Covid, the home side dominated from the outset with Jamie Maclaren and Tom Rogic both scoring in an entertaining first-half.

Substitutes Craig Goodwin and Riley McGree both scored their first international goals after the break to complete the rout to give the side a huge confidence boost ahead of the trip to play Oman next week.

With Aziz Behich stranded in Turkey, Sydney FC youngster Joel King made his international debut and was rock-solid at left-back, with Melbourne City's Marco Tilio also earning his first senior cap with a late cameo off the bench.

READ MORE: Behich heads straight to Oman after snowstorm in Istanbul

WATCH: Crazy start in the first minute

Those who arrived to their seat a little late would have missed a frantic start as the Socceroos had the ball in the back of the net inside 20 seconds through Rogic.

But the joy of the fans in Green and Gold was short lived as the goal was chalked off by the VAR after Jackson Irvine had strayed into an offside position as Rogic slammed the ball into the net.

The home side's early onslaught was a sign of things to come as the Australians piled on the pressure with Mathew Leckie the next to be denied a few minutes later.

Rogic's incisive pass had the Melbourne City attacker clear through on goal but he shot straight at keeper Bui Tan Truong.

Leckie was heavily involved in most of the Socceroos' attacks and he headed just wide on 18 minutes from an excellent cross by debutant Joel King.

Just when it seemed Vietnam may be about to quell Australia's wave of pressure, the home side made the breakthrough via the head of Maclaren.

WATCH: Maclaren heads the Socceroos in front

The impressive Rogic floated an inch-perfect cross to the far post where Maclaren was left totally unmarked and he made no mistake from close range.

Rogic then went from creator to scorer in first-half stoppage time, racing onto Leckie's throughball before dinking the ball past Truong to ensure the Socceroos had a comfortable lead at the break.

It was Rogic's first goal for Australia since 2019 and a reward for a brilliant display by the Celtic playmaker on his return to the side.

WATCH: Rogic doubles Australia's lead before the break

Given Australia's dominance in the first hour skipper Mat Ryan didn't have a lot of work to do but the gloveman came up with a huge save on 61 minutes.

A flowing move down the left ended with a cross into the path of substitute Nguyen Cong Phuong whose powerful strike drew a superb reflex save from Ryan.

WATCH: Ryan with a sensational stop

Mitch Duke and Craig Goodwin came off the bench immediately after that scare and it was the latter who made it 3-0 less than 10 minutes later.

Goodwin raced onto a long ball over the top of the Vietnam defence before calming lifting the ball over the keeper to put an end to any hope of a comeback by the visitors. 

WATCH: An emotional Goodwin makes it 3-0

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Australia weren't done there as McGree also came off the bench to get his name on the scoresheet to complete the scoring and cap a memorable night in the Socceroos' first international in Melbourne since 2017.

The Socceroos' attention will now switch to another must-win clash against Oman, with kick-off at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat at 3am next Wednesday (AEDT).

That match will be broadcast live and free in Australia on Network 10 and simulcast on 10 Play.

WATCH: McGree gets in on the act for Australia