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Indonesia's Astaman Ponaryo, left, and Australia's Jacob Burns. AP Photo/Tertius Pickard
Mark Milligan’s first international goal was all Australia had to show for 90 minutes of domination against Indonesia but it still brought the desired reward at Suncorp Stadium.
The Socceroos’ 1-0 victory in their final Asian Cup qualifier on Wednesday night ensured a safe passage into the 2011 tournament in Qatar.
Requiring just a draw to ensure a second Asian Cup campaign, a determined Milligan sealed the Socceroos’ place in the 42nd minute with a scrambling goal from a Luke Wilkshire free kick.
One of just three foreign-based players in the mostly A-League squad, 2006 World Cup member Milligan had some luck on his side but Australia deserved to win by more as they 22 shots at goal to the visitors’ three.
The Japan-based former Sydney FC defender shouldered Wilkshire’s cross on to the cross bar before swivelling on a tight angle to hammer the ball into goalkeeper Markus Harison Rihihina, with it deflecting into the net.
It brought the 20,422-strong crowd to their feet.
“I don’t mind how it comes, it’s my first goal for the national team,” Milligan told ABC Radio.
“I was lucky it fell nicely for me off the cross bar, it doesn’t happen often.
“We obviously would have liked a second.
“We were solid in defence as a team and as a unit so we’re happy to be in the Asian Cup and that’s all that matters.”
The lacklustre Indonesians gave their stretcher bearers almost as much work as captain and lone striker Bambang Pamungkas, who pre-match promised a far more difficult assignment for the home side.
Indonesia’s last victory against the Socceroos came in the 1981 World Cup qualifiers and the visitors never looked like ending their 30-year drought.
Even when they went a goal down the Merah Putih were hesitant and failed to force the pace, leaving Pamungkas and fellow attacking spark Budi Sudarsono with little action.
The Socceroos enjoyed close to 80 per cent of the possession and had countless chances to kill off the visitors early in the second half.
In one five-minute period, striker Josh Kennedy missed two headers in the box and then spoilt a golden chance for Wilkshire by intercepting a brilliant Oar cross meant for the Dynamo Moscow utility.
Captain Culina also unleashed a series of long-range shots, further testing an up-to-the-task Markus with each.
Twin debutants Oar and Sydney FC defender Shannon Cole, highly impressive in his 72 minutes on the wet pitch, were among Verbeek’s best.
Older hands Culina, Wilkshire and Simon Colosimo were also stand-outs while Kennedy had an off night.
Right-side attacker Mile Sterjovski paid the price for a lacklustre first half, replaced at halftime for Wilkshire to move up field and substitute Matt McKay to add extra midfield spark.
The Suncorp Stadium surface was in amazing shape despite five days of persistent rain in Brisbane and the first half was played in wet and muggy conditions.
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