Greek-born Apostolos Giannou has made an instant impact for Australia in a 7-0 drubbing of Tajikistan that has all but rubber-stamped the Socceroos' ticket to the next stage of the World Cup qualifiers. <br /> <br />The Australians need only a point from Tuesday's game against Jordan to advance from the top of their group after treating the Tajiks as training cones in a Thursday night romp at Adelaide Oval. <br /> <br />Giannou had four assists on debut, substitute Tommy Rogic and Nathan Burns potted a brace each, while Massimo Luongo, Mile Jedinak and Mark Milligan also scored. <br /> <br />Giannou, who described his recent decision to opt for Australia over Greece as the hardest of this life, laid off a pass for Luongo's scorching second-minute strike which set the tone of a lopsided fixture. <br /> <br />The central striker then earned two penalties - and both were converted by captains: Jedinak in the 12th minute and his half-time replacement Milligan in the 57th. <br />Attacker Burns added another in the 67th minute when given gold-plated service from Aaron Mooy, who toyed with the Tajiks in a masterful midfield display before 35,439 spectators. <br /> <br />Rogic then came on and scored twice in a three-minute span with sweet strikes - though one of them denied Giannou a goal. <br /> <br />Rogic's 70th minute blast just cleared the line before rebounding to Giannou, who belatedly tapped in. <br /> <br />The Greek recruit later hit the bar from close range - one of four Australians to strike the woodwork - before Burns put the icing on the Socceroos' cake with a headed goal in the 87th minute. <br /> <br />Australia recorded a whopping 38 shots to one from the Tajiks - and that was kindly credited by statisticians as it was a hopeful kick from almost 40 metres out which ended up dribbling just inside the corner flag. <br /> <br />The right result against Jordan will see Australia join 11 other Asian nations in the next qualifying phase for the 2018 World Cup in Russia - the draw will be held in April for a stage starting in September.
