http://www.the-afc.com/eng/articles/viewArticle.jsp_167018518.html 1:0 袋鼠軍團勝 Captain Kewell seals Socceroos win BRISBANE – Harry Kewell scored early in the second half as Australia took a huge step towards the final round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers with a 1-0 win over Iraq at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. The Iraqis created the majority of chances in the opening half but were undone by Kewell’s header 75 seconds after the restart, which sent the Socceroos up to seven points, four clear of second-placed Qatar at the top of Group One. The defeat was the second in a row for Asian Cup holders Iraq, who are bottom of the group with only one point from three games Needing a win to revive their flagging campaign, the visitors dominated early on and nearly went in front in the fifth minute when Emad Mohammed’s shot from the edge of the box rocked the Australian crossbar. Australia responded a minute later on a quick counter-attack as Scott McDonald ’s neat back-heel opened up space for Marco Bresciano whose drive from the top of the Iraqi box was well stopped by Iraq goalkeeper Noor Sabri. Iraq skipper Younis Mahmoud was a lively figure, firing a shot from a narrow angle in the 11th minute that was kept out by Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. Kewell should have done better in the 19th minute when he outjumped Saad Attiya to reach a David Carney cross but put his header straight at Sabri. Emad was found alone in the Australia box by Mahdi Karim’s neat pass from the flank in the 26th minute but his shot on the turn was kept out by Schwarzer's right leg. As half-time approached, Younis was found unmarked in the box by Mahdi Karim but the normally clinical striker headed wide. The Iraqis would rue those misses as the home side went in front almost immediately after the restart. Brett Emerton received the ball from a throw-in and sent in a measured cross towards Kewell, who out-jumped Haidar Abdul-Amir to head past a static Noor Sabri. The Australians tightened up after taking the lead, allowing the Iraqis hardly a sight on goal for much of the half. They could have extended their lead in the 66th minute when Luke Wilkshire found Kewell completely unmarked in the box. The Australian captain tried to surprise Sabri by flicking the ball with his left outstep but the Iraq goalkeeper alertly stopped the shot. With eight minutes remaining, Australia had a lucky escape when a shot by Younis hit Schwarzer and ricocheted off Ali Rehema wide of goal. Hawar Mulla Mohammed was then denied by Schwarzer after finding himself in the clear and North managed to block out a header by substitute Mostafa Karim as Australia hung on for the win. --

※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 218.166.67.240