Qantas Socceroos on track for Qatar 2011
The Qantas Socceroos have produced an outstanding rear-guard action to defeat Oman 2-1 in their Asian Cup qualifier in Muscat despite playing for the final 72 minutes with just ten men.
The win, one of Australia's best in Asian Cup competition, puts the Qantas Socceroos in charge of the table and in pole position to qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar. However, it was a performance which will be praised for its character more than its quality after Oman completely dominated the match, only to find Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer in vintage form.
Oman took the lead after 18 minutes after Rhys Williams fouled Fawzi Basheer in an incident which also saw the young Australian defender red carded. Khalifa Ayil's penalty was saved by Schwarzer but Ayil strode in to slot the rebound and stun the visitors.
Luke Wilkshire got Australia back into the contest when he scored his first international goal in the 43rd minute before Schwarzer and his defenders produced a string of saves and blocks early in the second half which kept the game alive.
Oman was made to pay for its profligacy in the 82nd-minute when Australia broke clear through David Carney, who delivered a long cross for Brett Emerton to finish clinically on the half-volley.
Australia now sits on seven points, three clear of Oman, with Kuwait and Indonesia to meet in Kuwait City overnight.
Qantas Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek opted to move Luke Wilkshire into a defensive midfield role from the start of the match, allowing Williams to start on the right hand side of defence. Mark Bresciano also slotted back in, with Harry Kewell playing up forward in the absence of Josh Kennedy.
The visitors looked comfortable for the early part of the contest, but Oman's speed was always a concern down the wings. After a couple of half chances early, the first goal was essentially set up by Qasim Saeed's powerful burst down the right, which completely disorganised the Australian defence.
Saeed set-up Basheer, who was set to pull the trigger when Williams cluttered into the back of him. The referee had little option but to point to the spot and send Williams from the field. But the drama wasn't over, with Schwarzer getting a hand on the penalty and forcing it away. Ayil was the first to react and Oman had the lead.
Apart from a good save from Ali Al Habsi from Tim Cahill on 24 minutes, it was Oman which did much of the attacking for the 20 minutes after the goal. Imad Al Hosni had the best chance but shot it over the top when through on the Australian keeper.
The Qantas Socceroos' first goal on 43 minutes was mainly down to the brilliance of Bresciano, who turned quickly when surrounded by three opponents and delivered a dangerous floating ball into the box. At the far post was Wilkshire, who half kneed the ball in from close range to square the ledger.
However, with a man advantage Oman continued to play with confidence and for the first 30 minutes of the second half, it seemed certain the home side would score again. Hassan Yousuf's 54th minute shot hit Craig Moore's hand before deflecting back to Schwarzer, but there was no penalty this time around.
Imad Al Hosni had two chances cleared in the space of three minutes just before the hour. The first was cleared by Wilkshire off the line, while the second forced a brilliant save from Schwarzer. Australia rang the changes with Cahill and Bresciano off for Brett Holman and Carney and the flow of Omani chances slowed briefly.
But on 70 minutes, the goal was back under siege as Schwarzer was called on to thwart Ismail Al Ajmi and then Moore slid in to block Hasim Saleh.
Australia eventually got a shot on target again through Chipperfield before Schwarzer was back into the action up the other end soon after.
The second Australia goal materialised out of nothing, but spoke volumes for the persistence of the visiting side. Wilkshire picked up the ball in midfield and after some hesitation found Carney down the far left. At the same time as Carney had broken clear, Emerton had done so on the right and had put himself in good position for a cross.
Carney found his man, albeit just getting it over the head of an Omani defender, and Emerton drilled the ball low on the half volley to give Australia a stunning lead.
Oman was gutted and while Ayil had a good chance late with a header, Australia held firm to record a win of true character which could prove the difference in qualifying and not qualifying for the 2011 Asian Cup.
Oman 1 (Ayil 18) Australia 2 (Wilkshire 43, Emerton 82) Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat
Australia 1. Mark Schwarzer, 2.Lucas Neill, 3.Craig Moore, 4. Tim Cahill (14. Brett Holman 66), 5.Jason Culina, 7. Brett Emerton, 8. Luke Wilkshire, 10. Harry Kewell (75. Patrick Kisnorbo 89), 11. Scott Chipperfield, 23. Mark Bresciano (20. David Carney 66) , 112. Rhys Williams
Unused Subs: 28. Mile Jedinak, 97. Brad Jones, 101 Dario Vidosic,