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Sloppy Australia win final warm-up
An unconvincing Australian side have rounded off their preperations for the World Cup with a lackluster 3-1 win over Liechtenstein over night.
While Australia dominated their opponents all match they threatened the Liechtenstein goal less than expected. Australia's level had dropped severly from the game against Holland to the point where passes weren't strong enough and communication broke down often.
The opening goal came from a Lucas Neill mistake as in the 9th minute a seemingly harmless free kick came into teh Australian box. Neill went up to clear but couldn't get high enough and the deflection was just out of reach of Zeljko Kalac's massive reach. Liechtenstein with the surprise early lead from an own goal. Moments later Tony Popovic almost put through an opposition attacker when a poor back pass was only just cleared by Kalac.
Harry Kewell played the opening hour in which he showed some nice touches but also some horrible ones. One being a simple controling touch which would have allowed him an easy goal, except the touch was ordinary and went straight to Liechtenstein keeper Peter Jehle. However on 20 minutes Jehle couldn't prevent a Stan Lazaridis cross from being poked in by Mile Sterjovski to equilise.
Before the half ended Tim Cahill received a booking for an elbow to the head of his opponent but replays suggested no intention and barely contact. On the half however it remained 1-1.
On 60 minutes Kewell made way for debutant Joshua Kennedy to come on. The towering 194 cm striker made an immediate impact and was showing coach Guus Hiddink why he wants to be more than just a squad player in Germany. His work rate allowed him to latch onto a Brett Emerton cross and head home his first international goal and give the Aussies the lead (75 min).
Eight minutes later Australia made it 3-1 when Sterjovski crossed in for John Aloisi to head home and make the score a little more respectable from the Australians point of view. Liechtenstein would have been disappointed to concede he third however.
With warm up matches now complete, Australia now have the first group F match against Japan too look forward to on Monday.
Australia 3 (Sterjovski 20; Kennedy 75; Aloisi 83)
Liechtenstein 1 (Neill 9 own goal)
Played @ Ulm, Germany
9 June, 2006 |
