Mission accomplished. The Socceroos have survived the World Cup group of death.
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Australia secured their passage to the next stage of Asian World Cup qualifying with one of their most courageous efforts in memory – two Brett Emerton goals and one to Harry Kewell sealing a 3-1 victory over Qatar at Jassim bin Hammad Stadium tonight.
Emerton scored once in each half to bury the Qataris on their home turf, while Kewell iced the result on 74 minutes to put Pim Verbeek’s side a step closer to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
Qatar scored a late consolation goal through Khalfan Ibrahim in the 89th minute.
The Socceroos are now three points clear of both Qatar and Iraq, who beat China 2-1 in Tianjin earlier tonight to join Qatar on seven points, with one match remaining.
But with the top two advancing to the next qualifying stage and Qatar and Iraq to play each other next week, Australia will go through regardless of their final match against China in Sydney next Sunday.
Verbeek said Iraq’s win in China earlier had raised the stakes for his side to chase victory themselves.
“Three teams starting from seven points before this game, we knew we had to win this game,” Verbeek said.
“We started very well, then we started to come a little bit under pressure.
“But second half we did very well. The goal was at the perfect time and we played very well until the last second.”
For the third match in four outings, the Socceroos owed plenty to goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who made three important first-half saves to keep his side a goal to the good.
But it was Emerton, sent forward by Verbeek from his customary right-back position, who finished off a neat move on the edge of the box in the 17th minute, started by the busy Brett Holman, to give his side the lead.
The Socceroos were then put under heavy pressure late in the half by Qatar, with striker Sebastian Soria Quintana causing plenty of headaches.
Qatar should have equalised just after the break when Talal Al-Bloushi headed over when he should have done better, before Emerton finished off the Qataris with a second on 56 minutes.
It was a perfect training ground manoeuvre – Schwarzer kicking out, Kewell heading on, Holman then providing a lob which Emerton finished.
Australia lifted and Kewell smacked home a left-foot volley after a defensive error 16 minutes from time to make the home side’s task impossible.
Khalfan salvaged some respectability for the home side with his late goal.
Australia advance to the next stage of Asian qualifying – two groups of five teams starting in September.
The top two teams in each group will advance to the World Cup finals, while the two third-placed teams play off with the winner to take on the Oceania winner for another spot in South Africa in 2010.
Iraq’s win in Tianjin ensured China’s elimination, but sets up a sudden-death match between Qatar and Iraq in Dubai next week to decide the other qualifier from Group 1.
Player ratings for the Socceroos in their 3-1 win over Qatar in their World Cup qualifier at Jassim bin Hammad Stadium, Doha tonight:
MARK SCHWARZER: Saved his side for the third time in four matches. Three brilliant first-half saves kept Qatar at bay at their most dangerous. Were it not for him this campaign, Australia could be contemplating two years in the football wilderness. Rating: 9.
LUKE WILKSHIRE: Can be changed into more positions than a Lego set, and found himself at right-back where he was his usual solid, dependable self. Defended well and provided drive with his passing. Rating: 7.
JADE NORTH: Another big game from a centre-half growing in stature for his country. Positioned himself perfectly throughout, handled set-pieces with aplomb and tackled strongly. Rating: 8.
MICHAEL BEAUCHAMP: Mostly solid, though had a few issues with Qatar striker Quintana late in the first half. Recovered well for a scoreboard victory by fulltime. Rating: 7.
DAVID CARNEY: Not his most memorable performance, but did what he had to do well enough when asked. Couldn’t get forward as much as he would have liked, but it wasn’t that type of game. Rating: 6.
JASON CULINA: Continues to be rock-solid wherever he plays in midfield, and handled duties as the Socceroos’ defensive shield excellently. Monster workrate came to fore late in the first half as he put himself about. Rating: 7.
CARL VALERI: An assured performance by a star on the rise. Tucked in well behind defenders when stretched, worked willingly alongside Culina throughout and ensured Vince Grella’s absence was hardly noticed. Rating: 7.
BRETT EMERTON: Pushed forward by Verbeek and scored twice to seal victory. Relished the freedom, working tirelessly throughout and impressing with his ability to find goalscoring positions. Rating: 9.
MARK BRESCIANO: Set up opening goal and busy down left flank throughout. Combined well with Holman, Emerton and Kewell, and enjoyed the chance to play the full 90 minutes. Rating: 7.
BRETT HOLMAN: His best game for his country. A nuisance for Qatar all night shadowing Kewell and his link play was outstanding, creating two of the three goals. A textbook lesson in how to play in the ‘hole’. Rating: 9.
HARRY KEWELL: Another difficult task but handled it well. Scored one and had a hand in another, though much of his time was spent having to muscle up with Qatar’s bigger centre-backs so others could exploit the space. Rating: 7.
Substitutes:
BRUCE DJITE: Came on for Kewell on 85 minutes. No rating.
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