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The Socceroos have brought themselves within one point of Jordan at the top of their World Cup qualifying group with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Kyrgyzstan, all but ruining the chances of reaching a maiden World Cup for the Central Asian side.
After starting with a positive flurry of offence, the Australian’s were slowed down by a resilient and strong Kyrgyzstan defense that fought off as long as they could against an aggressive attack.
It took a 40th minute spot kick from skipper Mile Jedinak to open the scoring for the home side, calmly slotting into the right hand corner after a sloppy challenge on Burns from Shamshiev.
The goal right before the break will have hurt the Kyrgz but nothing could have prepared them for the relentless onslaught that came out in the second stanza. Enjoying 68% of possession it was just a matter of time before the lead was doubled on the back of the right foot of perennial goal scorer Tim Cahill, netting his 42nd international goal.
Australia were very unlucky not to have been up by a lot more considering the sheer amount of opportunities and shots on goal they were presented with, but credit must go to the Kyrgyzstan defense who would just not concede defeat and fought right up till the very end.
The final nail in the coffin came in the form of an Amirov own goal that completely sunk the Kyrgz and all but sealed their fate in, not only this game, but their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Final Score
Australia – 3
Kyrgyzstan – 0
The Socceroos will be looking to pick up their second win against Kyrgyzstan tonight when they face off in their Group B World Cup Qualifying clash in the nation’s capital of Canberra. Catch the live scores and commentary on The Roar from 8:00pm (AEDT).
This is a vital game for both sides as they look to secure their top two finish in Pool B of the AFC World Cup bracket and advance into the third round of qualifying.
Australia are currently in second place after their surprise 2-0 loss at the hands of Jordan last month which has left them trailing the Jordanians by four points in their group.
Kyrgyzstan is hot on their heels, just one point behind in third spot having dispatched of the winless Bangladesh in their last match.
The Kyrgyz haven’t lost a match in their group since their 2-1 defeat to the Socceroos back in June at Spartak Stadium.
Both sides have struggled for goals throughout these qualifying stages so the coaches have no doubt been drilling their players on getting an early lead and forcing the opposition into playing out of their comfort zone.
Ange Postecoglou has brought back Crystal Palace skipper Mile Jedinak into the squad who hasn’t played for his country since scoring against Kyrgyzstan in their previous encounter.
Goalkeeper Mat Ryan is in doubt to take the pitch, still recovering from a right knee injury that has kept him out of action since August; only having taken part in three training sessions for club side Valencia in that time.
Defender Matthew Spiranovic has been ruled out of this game and Mat Leckie is in doubt following a bout of sickness that has prevented him from travelling for the time being.
For Kyrgyzstan, lone goalscorer against the Socceroos Almazbek Mirzaliev has been hampered by a calf strain but is still fully expected to at least take his place on the bench.
Prediction
At home and looking to avenge their loss to Jordan, the Socceroos will be hungry for a win to secure their passage through to the third round of qualifying.
Kyrgyzstan have been in great form since the last time these two met and are breathing down the neck of the Australians but I just can’t see them pulling off the win.
Australia to win 2-0.
Expected line-ups
Australia – Federici; Davidson, Spiranovic, Wright, Wilkinson; Milligan, Rogić; Oar, Mooy, Luongo; Leckie.
Kyrgyzstan – Matiash; Kichin, Maier, Baymatov, Kozubaev; Sidorenko, Musabekov, Zemlianukhin, Bernhardt; Murzaev, Lux.
Join The Roar from 8:00pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.
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