Audero reaches the final with Indonesia and his return puts the spotlight on matchday 8

Rayo Vallecano

The qualification came in the most exciting way possible. Indonesia thrashed Bangladesh 9-2 and finished top of Group A after settling the tie in the final moments of the match.

For Emil Audero, the occasion also had special significance. John Herdman handed the starting spot back to the Rayo goalkeeper after he had been on the bench for Indonesia's previous two matches, against Singapore and Malaysia.

The Indonesian side needed to win and, at the same time, keep an eye on what was happening between Malaysia and Singapore. The Malaysians won 6-0, forcing Indonesia to look for an even bigger goal difference.

Indonesia went into the break with a resounding 6-1, although for much of the second half they failed to extend their advantage. 7-1 arrived in the 90th minute and Bangladesh responded immediately with 7-2, leaving Herdman's team needing to score two more goals.

They found them in stoppage time. Kevin Diks made it 8-2 in the 90+6 minute and Mitchell Baker sealed the final 9-2 in the 90+7. Indonesia and Malaysia finished level on seven points and with +9 in goal difference, but the 11 goals scored by Indonesia, compared with Malaysia's nine, ultimately decided first place.

Audero's long return, another factor for matchday 8

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The qualification will extend Audero's stay in Asia. Indonesia will face Thailand in the FIFA ASEAN Cup final on Monday, October 5, at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, meaning the goalkeeper still has to play the match and then travel thousands of kilometers to rejoin Rayo Vallecano.

This schedule leaves his situation heading into matchday 8 as something to watch. The goalkeeper will have less time to rest and work with the team than his teammates, especially if he is again named in the starting XI for Indonesia in the final.

For now, there is no confirmation in the available information that Audero will lose his starting spot with Rayo. The factor that does come into play is the accumulated fatigue between the final, the trip from Jakarta, and the narrow margin to get back into the rhythm of the Madrid side before matchday 8.