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The party wasn’t totally rockin’, but the Socceroos did kick off their World Cup qualification celebrations with a 2-0 win over Bahrain at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night.
With a ticket to South Africa already booked after Saturday’s scoreless draw with Qatar in Doha, an understrength Australian side had little on the line in front of just under 40,000 fans on a cold Sydney night.
Their performance was far from spectacular, but second half goals to winger Mile Sterjovski and defender David Carney ensured the Socceroos carried on their impressive form in the final stage of qualification.
Considering there were seven changes to the team and the short turnaround from Qatar, it was another sound performance and coach Pim Verbeek was pleased with how his inexperienced players handled the occasion
With captain Lucas Neill suspended and regulars including Josh Kennedy, Mark Bresciano and Scott Chipperfield already ruled out, Verbeek handed rare starts to the likes of Mile Jedinak, Mark Milligan, Brett Holman, Sterjovski and Carney.
“The players that came in showed themselves,” Verbeek said.
“The more players we have available the better it is for the Socceroos and Australian football.
“The only thing I could say is that we didn’t score more goals … but I’m very pleased with my players.”
The win left Australia in a strong position to top their group ahead of next week’s final qualifier against Japan in Melbourne, after the Japanese were held 1-1 at home by Qatar later on Wednesday.
Verbeek surprisingly rested star midfielder Tim Cahill, who was suffering from muscle soreness, while Vince Grella started from the bench in what the Dutchman later admitted was a tactical decision to avoid him getting a yellow ahead of the Japan game.
Australia should have taken the lead in the first half when striker Scott McDonald missed a golden chance to break his international duck by blasting over from close range.
The Celtic striker, who also came close late in the second half, as played into space by a clever through ball from Brett Holman and had time to take a touch before shooting, but opted to hit his shot first time and blasted it over.
McDonald is yet to score in 12 matches for Australia, but Verbeek did not say his time was running out to prove his worth for the World Cup.
“He will always score goals, he will always be an interesting player for us and he’s still a good age, I’m not worrying about Scotty,” Verbeek said.
Aside from that and a couple of close calls from Bahrain, there was little to cheer about until Sterjovski chimed in early in the second half with his eighth international goal.
The move which led the goal started after Carney launched and brilliant long ball to Harry Kewell, who turned it inside with his first touch.
Bahraini midfielder Aaish then made a meal of clearing the ball and Sterjovski pounced to neatly turn the ball into the net.
The result was then put beyond doubt in the 88th minute through the impressive Carney, who poked home after Jason Culina had struck the post with a spectacular bicycle kick.
Verbeek said defenders Luke Wilkshire and Milligan would miss the Japan game due to club commitments.
Bahrain’s loss means they are still likely to need a point from their final match against Uzbekistan to ensure third sport and a playoff against a group B side.
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