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Australia opens with 3-1 win
It was more than just your average Asian Cup qualifying match. This match was historical in that it was Australia's first full international match since joining the AFC on January 1st this year. And despite a shakey start, it finished very well.
Facing Bahrain, a team that narrowly missed the world cup last year, in Manama with an under strength side, it seemed a difficult opening task for the Aussies. And the team looked nervy from the start. The first half was a scrappy affair with neither team taking the game to the other.
Infact the only clear chance of the half resulted in the opening goal. Hussain Ali caught onto a short cross and put the ball across Australian keeper Ante Covic and inside the far post. Bahrain, in the 36th minute took the lead and held it until the half time whistle. A scattered Australian team unsure going into the break.
The half time break worked wonders however as Assistant Coaches Graham Arnold and Johan Neeskens settled the inexperienced Socceroos outfit, featuring a host of debutants, including Scott McDonald who had been offered to play for Scotland.
After the break stand in skipper Josip Skoko stepped up and took control of the midfield. And his efforts on set plays brought the first goal for Australia. A chip into the box found the head of PSV striker Archie Thompson on 53 minutes to draw them level. Thompson, who will go into the record books as the first Aussie to score in the Asian Cup, made his way to the corner flag for his customary karate style celebration.
Australia continued to preassure the Bahrain goal and their continued efforts finally paid off on 79 minutes. The ball bobbed across the top of the penalty area to find Skoko 20 yards out, drilling the ball into the top right corner in what was easily the goal of the match. Australia took the lead but found themselves 3-1 up with three minutes remaining soon after when Ahmed Elrich received an elbow to the head in the penalty area by Abdulla Marzooq. Marzooq sent off and Elrich slotted home the penalty only for it to be brought back for encrochment into the area by the Aussies. Elrich kept his cool to put it in the net again and secure the 3-1 win.
In the other Group D match Lebanon held Kuwait to a 1-1 draw in Beirut. Ali Nassereddine brought Lebanon back on level terms in the 67th minute after Fahad Al Hamad had put Kuwait ahead on 25 minutes.
Kuwait will host Bahrain next week in their second match of the qualifiers. Australia won't rejoin this competition until after the World Cup to allow for their preperations. Their next match will be against Greece in Melbourne on May 25th.
Australia 3 (Thompson '53, Skoko '79, Elrich '87 pen)
Dft
Bahrain 1 (Hussain Ali '35)
Lebanon 1 (Ali Nasereddine '67)
Drew
Kuwait 1 (Al Hamad '25)
26 February, 2006 |
