Sport | Football
Australia braced for Iraqi assault
Crucial Group 1 qualifier for 2010 Fifa World Cup to be played in Dubai on Saturday night
- By Alaric Gomes, Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:00 June 7, 2008
Dubai Emad Redha scored an opportunistic goal against leaders Australia to keep Iraqi hopes alive in the Asian Group A qualifiers for the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Redha1's strike came 28 minutes after fullback Bassam Abbas had come close on two occasions within as many minutes. The result means Iraq now have four points to Australia's seven after four matches. Qatar, who won by a solitary goal earlier yesterday against China, also have seven.
As promised, Australia's Dutch coach Pim Verbeek concentrated on his defence with Chris Coyne, Michael Beauchamp and Jade North at the heart of the backline.
To their credit, the Socceroos did well to contain the marauding Iraqis with North keeping tabs on Younus Mahmoud and Redha.
But it appeared only a matter of time before the Iraqis made good on their pressure, and it was Redha who finally broke Aussie resolve, leaving the teams to troop in at the break with Iraq one to the good. Ten minutes from the final whistle, the Iraqis had a chance to increase their lead when Redha anticipated a fine through-ball, only to be denied by the out-rushing Schwarzer.
Moving down the left, Redha saw goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer leaving his post, anticipating a cross, only for the nippy defender to send in a curling ball that crashed in the top corner of the net.
However, the Aussies started the second half brighter and were unlucky not to grab the equaliser on the hour when a back-heel from Harry Kewell put Brett Holman clear in the area, only for the substitute to shoot straight into the hands of Noor Sabri.
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