Result: Australia 2 (Aloisi 17, Bresciano 23) v Bahrain 0
On a balmy night in Sydney, Australia delivered a workmanlike performance, beating an under-strength Bahrain team, which sent their Olympic team, mainly comprised of under-23 players.
Bahrain had clearly decided that the Kuwait game (which would see them qualify for the Asian Cup 2nd in this group) was more winnable. Apparently the 5 best Bahraini players play in Oil-rich Qatar and couldn't get releases from their clubs.
In a game that never reached any great heights as a spectacle, Bahrain were resolute in defence, and their were some bright passages from the Socceroos, who dominated territory and possession.
The team that will form the basis for the next World Cup squad was rolled out, and, despite a few hiccups at the back, looked pretty good.
The only 2 players that were missing from our future first team were probably Harry if fit, and Craig Moore, whose travails after missing the team flight for the Paraguay game have been well-documented elsewhere.
Michael Beauchamp was given a starting spot - his first one with the full-strength squad, in a brave attempt by Graeme Arnold to restore his confidence dented by his dreadful own-goal against Paraguay.
It seemed to have worked, as, after a tentative first half, he started to look like the player we're used to seeing in the A League. Cullina was restored to the starting lineup, and resumed his effective partnership with Vince Grella (I wonder if he liked being called 'Vinny?).
After dominating possession from the start, in the 17th minute - goal to Aloisi after a cynical foul on Cullina on the edge of the box, where the ball squirted to Bresciano, who pushed it to Aloisi to score with a clinical left foot finish after holding off his marker. His 25th international goal (in 48 games, many as a sub) moves up to 2nd equal on the all-time scoring list to be level with Kosi, 4 behind Damian Mori.
In the 21st minute - a great run from Abbas prompted a solid save from Schwarzer.
Bresciano then scored a great goal after a super buildup. Cross from Chipperfield to the far post, Sterjovski half-volleyed the ball across the face of goal for Bresciano, horizontal to the ground to smash one into the top of the net from 8 metres out. Interesting to see what would have happened had he not scored, as there was a very cynical foul on Tim Cahill in the box in the same movement. Given the Emirates' referees confusing performance, I'm glad we didn't have to find out.
Aloisi had his 2nd goal on 28 minutes disallowed by the slightly confused referee - it was simply a terrible decision - Aloisi was clearly onside, and the Aussie in front of him who was, was not relevant as under the new rules this no longer counts as offside as it is only the last person to touch the ball that is now relevant - an old-fashioned howler from the ref.
Great chance for Chipperfield on 55 mins, who was unable to make meaningful contact with his off foot.
Mile Sterjovski was very unlucky, as he hit the crossbar on 60 minutes after a scything run from the right, the exclamation mark on a solid night's work.
The second half petered out to a series of stoppages, as Bahraini players regularly fell to the ground in agony, only to miraculously jump up once the stretcher had been brought - I counted 6 separate trips on the ground by the stretcher-bearers - a new record? The referee didn't help by whistling a series of baffling fouls spoiling any momentum the Aussies might have built.
All in all a solid performance by a clearly superior Australian side, punctuated by a fabulous goal from Bresciano. Bahrain were organized and committed, and expect them to sort the young Kuwait team out.
By winning, Australia are guaranteed a seed for the Asian Cup, so bring it on!
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Marco Bresciano - A deserved man of the match. |
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John Aloisi - has stepped out of the shadows of 'Dukes' and should be our key striker right up to (and hopefully including) the next World Cup. Lucas Neill Vince Grella Mile Sterjovski - starting to look very comfortable in the green and gold. |
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Tim Cahill Brett Emerton |
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Mark Schwarzer - (not much to do) Chipperfield - a bit wasteful as times with the ball. Jason Cullina Michael Beauchamp |
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Archie Thompson Travis Dodd |
| Not Rated | Josip Skoko - (only counted one touch of the ball - 2nd half sub) |
