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Australia qualifies for 2014 World Cup despite woes in attack

Mark Schwarzer of the Socceroos stops an Iraqi attempt on goal. (Photo: Paul Barkley/LookPro)
Roar Guru
18th June, 2013
8

It wasn’t anywhere near as memorable as John Aloisi’s winning penalty against Uruguay in 2005, but it was a win.

It also wasn’t anywhere near as clinical as the 2010 round of qualification for South Africa, but substitute Josh Kennedy’s brilliant header in the 82nd minute was enough to send Australia through to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Amidst fears that their hopes would rest solely on Jordan defeating Oman later tonight, Kennedy – who was only introduced as a substitute minutes earlier – was the man to answer Australia’s prayers.

The likes of Tim Cahill and Robbie Kruse had tried and failed, but it would be the Victorian-born Kennedy who would have the final say – delivering on the biggest stage and at the most perfect of moments.

There will be no hiding the fact that despite their jubilation and incredible excitement, this was an otherwise disappointing performance from the Brazil-bound Socceroos.

It wasn’t that they couldn’t create chances (something that they still managed despite very sluggish conditions and driving rain); it was simply that they couldn’t take full advantage of those chances, as they continued to be plagued by the same problems that have cost them so many times before.

Australia’s World Cup hero from 2006, Tim Cahill, got the Socceroos’ attack underway in the opening minutes with a clean shot on goal, but it was quickly parried away. Defender Sasa Ogneovski’s header flew over the bar soon after, and while an early goal hadn’t been forthcoming for Australia, it seemed only a matter of time before they broke through the Iraqi defense.

However, it seemed that the visitors – who were playing over 10,000 kilometres away from home – had other ideas.

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Led by Ali Adnan, the Lions of Mesopotamia continued to repel whatever attacking raids the Socceroos managed to put together, and after heading into the half-time interval with a clean sheet, seemed like they could well pull off a staggering result.

And so it seemed as the second half wore on.

Despite having the home ground advantage and being up against a team barely ranked inside the top 100 in the world, Australia could not break through for the goal they so desperately desired. Tommy Oar, Marco Bresciano, Cahill and Kruse desperately to find a way, but there was none forthcoming for the home side.

Until Kennedy entered the fray, that is.

The 30-year-old might have been a baffling substitute having taken the place of Australia’s best attacking option in Cahill. Certainly, fans around Australia expressed their disbelief. Cahill himself was in disbelief.

However, there would be no qualms about the decision after the man they call ‘Jesus’ lived up to his nickname completely – answering the prayers of millions of Australians and sending an already sports-crazed nation into frenzied celebrations.

He’d seemingly sent Australia a third successive World Cup berth.

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The final moments were as tense as they were joyful.

Iraq would attack, but with each defensive stand, the home side grew in confidence. With each interception or tackle, the home fans would grow louder and, perhaps most importantly, the final whistle would creep loser until it would ring out one final time at the former Olympic Stadium to the loudest of receptions.

It was far from perfect, but it was complete.

Holger Osieck will know that on tonight’s performance, Australia are still a long away from being World Cup-ready. They once again struggled to connect in the final third, their finishing left a lot to be desired and their impatience got the better of them in attack. And against the likes of Spain, Germany and the home side Brazil, they know that a similar performance will leave them with nothing other than a quick exit from the tournament.

However, he’ll know as well that those problems are for another night. For tonight, amidst the mud and rain of Sydney, Australia, the biggest story is about the Socceroos’ successful World Cup qualification.

And for once, it is the destination – not the journey – that matters most.

[roar_cat_gal]

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