Qantas Socceroos cruises past New Zealand
The Qantas Socceroos have recorded a 3-0 victory over New Zealand in the International Friendly played at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
The Qantas Socceroos have recorded a 3-0 victory over New Zealand in the International Friendly played at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Two goals from Josh Kennedy and an injury time converted penalty by James Troisi gave the Qantas Socceroos a win in their first match at the Adelaide Oval since 1958.
With Lucas Neill starting on the bench, Brett Emerton was given the responsibility of leading the Qantas Socceroos. He almost put the Qantas Socceroos ahead in 5th minute but his shot went inches wide from goal.
It took only 10 minutes before the Qantas Socceroos to open the scoring. New Zealand-s goalkeeper Glenn Moss made a mess of Jeremy Brockie-s back pass and Josh Kennedy was on hand to pick up the loose ball to slot it into the empty net for the opening goal of the match.
New Zealand had difficulty finding their feet in the first half as the Qantas Socceroos dominated the half with Michael Zullo and James Troisi combining well on the left to create attacking opportunities.
Qantas Socceroos coach Holger Osieck made three changes at half-time. Robbie Kruse, Dario Vidosic and Rhys Williams came on for Brett Holman, Brett Emerton and Luke Wilkshire.
The heavy rain did not deter the Qantas Socceroos as they increased their lead in the 59th minute. From a resulting corner, Kennedy out jumped the New Zealand defence to head home his second and Qantas Socceroos second goal of the night.
New Zealand-s night of misery was completed in injury time when Robbie Kruse was brought down in the box. James Troisi placed his spot-kick beyond the reach of substitute goalkeeper, Jack Gleeson to give the Qantas Socceroos a 3-0 victory in the trans-Tasman match.
The Qantas Socceroos will play Serbia in an International Friendly at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne on Tuesday.
Match Details:
Qantas Socceroos 3 (Josh Kennedy 10', 59', James Troisi 90+3') New Zealand 0 Sunday, 5 June 2011 Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Local kick-off: 5.00pm Crowd: 21, 281
Qantas Socceroos: 18. Nathan Coe (gk), 3. Michael Zullo (17. Matt McKay 70'), 7. Brett Emerton (c) (5. Dario Vidosic 46'), 8. Luke Wilkshire (5. Rhys Williams 46'), 9. Josh Kennedy (13. Alex Brosque 60'), 11. James Troisi, 14. Brett Holman (23. Robbie Kruse 46'), 16. Carl Valeri (4. Mark Milligan 65'), 19. Neil Kilkenny, 20. Matthew Spiranovic, 21. Jonathan McKain
Substitutes not used: 1. Adam Federici (gk), 2. Lucas Neill, 4. Archie Thompson, 6. Sasa Ognenovski, 20. Mitchell Langerak (gk), 15. Mile Jedinak
Yellow Cards: Josh Kennedy