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Australia 3 v Qatar 0 6-2-2008 2010 World Cup Qualifier
Australia 3 v Qatar 0 6-2-2008 2010 World Cup Qualifier "Australia got off to a dream start in its campaign to reach the 2010 World Cup with a display that mesmerised national coach Pim Verbeek. Scoring three splendid goals in a memorable first half, the Socceroos went through the motions after the break to record an emphatic 3-0 victory that must have sent shivers down the spine of group rivals Iraq and China. "I think our first half was fantastic, I'm very proud of what my players did," a radiant Verbeek beamed. "We created chances, we scored great goals and never gave Qatar any chance to play. It was exactly our plan." "It was very entertaining specially for the fans. The quality of our football in the first half was very high. We have quality players." Goals by striker Josh Kennedy and midfielders Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano gave the slick Socceroos a healthy cushion to which the outclassed Qataris had no answer. The strong all-round showing vindicated Verbeek's decision to start the game with 10 Europe-based players. The only "domestic" star to start was Queensland Roar defender Craig Moore, who may have played his last match for the Socceroos. The Australians' performance was truly remarkable when one remembers that they had hardly any time to practise, most of them having flown to Australia from Europe less than 48 hours before kick-off. A boisterous crowd of 50,969 fans, fully conscious of the importance of the match, gave the Socceroos a rousing reception when they entered the field. Verbeek stuck with an expected 4-4-2 line-up with Kennedy and Scott McDonald up front. Qatar, who had been in Australia for more than a week, understandably were the first team to settle down, moving the ball about with confidence without however troubling Mark Schwarzer. Yet Cahill had the first chance for Australia after five minutes when he amazingly found himself unmarked in the six-yard box but shot too casually at the feet of Saqar. After 10 minutes Australia took the lead when the industrious Brett Emerton, who never stopped running all night, picked out Kennedy with a magnificent cross and the lanky striker found the net with a glorious header to the far post. A few minutes later Cahill underlined Qatar's vulnerability in the air by climbing above an opponent to head just over the bar. Australia clearly were in the groove and scored again in the 17th minute when Cahill rose to head in an in-swinging corner kick from Luke Wilkshire. It was evident at this stage that the Qataris could not cope with the Socceroos' aerial assault largely emanating from wingbacks Emerton and David Carney. In the 29th minute Bresciano weaved his way into the Qatar box and fed Kennedy whose shot was turned to corner by Saqar's outstretched foot. The Socceroos were in total control and a third goal seemed like only a matter of time. Australia in fact made it three in the 33rd minute when McDonald created space for himself and squared the ball for Bresciano who made a telling run and placed the ball in with consummate ease. Australia incredibly could have made it four when Emerton found Cahill unmarked in the penalty area but the Everton man would have been disappointed with his header that went straight to the goalkeeper. Australia slowed down their tempo in the second half and Emerton again picked out Cahill who just missed the far post with a firm header. Qatar were able to hang on to the ball for longer periods in the second half and even missed a glorious chance to reduce the margin when Mesaad Alim shot amazingly wide from a metre out. The Socceroos must finish first or second in this group, which also includes China and Asian Cup champions Iraq, to advance to the next phase of World Cup qualifying. Australia's next match is away to China on March 26 and on this form, the green and gold will take some beating in Asia." Socceroos turn on the style - Philip Micallef in Melbourne