Australia into quarter-final with Japan
Tuesday Jul 17 06:20 AEST
The Socceroos resurrected their Asian Cup hopes and set up a monster quarter-final against Japan on Saturday after posting a 4-0 victory over Thailand in their final group match at Rajamangala Stadium on Monday night.
A first-half goal to Michael Beauchamp, two to skipper Mark Viduka in the second half and a late goal to substitute Harry Kewell sealed Australia a spot in the second stage with a much-improved performance following a poor start to the tournament.
The Socceroos' victory in a match played in persistent rain and far cooler conditions than they have encountered so far ensured second place in Group A and a quarter-final against Japan in Hanoi on Saturday.
Saturday's game will be a re-match of the World Cup group match in Kaiserslautern 13 months ago which the Socceroos famously won 3-1 before marching on to that tournament's round of 16.
"I am happy we have got through and now it's game on," Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said.
"I know people don't want to hear it but the conditions made a difference.
"You kick off later, the temperatures are much cooler and it gives the players the chance to get through the game physically and they were still going strong at the end."
Arnold, who went into the match under siege after his side's below-par performances in the opening two games, was bold in his team selection in the must-win match.
He made four changes to his starting line-up, including dropping Kewell to the bench, and the promoted quartet - Beauchamp, Mark Milligan, David Carney and John Aloisi - all had major impact.
None more so than Beauchamp, who as well as impressing in defence headed home to give his side the lead after 21 minutes from a Luke Wilkshire free-kick.
The Socceroos were much more assured and urgent in their performance on Monday night, clearly relishing cooler conditions brought about by heavy rain which fell 90 minutes before kick off, easing to showers throughout the match.
But after looking the better side in the first 45 minutes, the Socceroos were forced to weather a huge second half charge from the Thais.
They lifted markedly in the second while playing for their tournament lives in front of a boisterous 40,000-plus crowd in their national stadium.
Australia's defence, with Milligan outstanding, repelled their every advance though and eventually Viduka put the issue beyond doubt with a tremendous solo goal in the 80th minute.
The skipper accepted a cross from substitute Tim Cahill on his chest, turned one defender, held off another, then banged home to make it 2-0.
Viduka then added Australia's third three minutes later, getting a header on the end of a Cahill cross.
Cahill then created another goal when his through ball sent Kewell, introduced as a substitute on the hour, bearing down on goal on a long run before slotting home.
Iraq ensured top spot in the Socceroos' Asian Cup group with a 0-0 draw against Oman in Bangkok on Monday night, booking them a quarter-final against Vietnam who finished second in Group B.