The Socceroos head into tonight’s World Cup Qualifier already destined for the next round, but for opponents Saudi Arabia this is anything but a dead rubber. Join us live from AAMI Park at 8:30pm for Australia vs Saudi Arabia.
With Oman and Thailand eagerly cheering on the Socceroos, the Frank Rijkaard-led Green Falcons know that they must get a result on Australian soil if their quest for Brazil 2014 is to continue.
And despite the lack of foreign superstars turning out for the Socceroos, this will be anything but a walk in the park against the first placed Aussies.
With some noses already out of joint regarding the change in kick-off time from the original 7:30pm timeslot, there’s nothing the Aussie fans and players would like more than to destroy the World Cup dreams of the visitors.
No European based players take part (apart from the legendary Mark Schwarzer, who requested to Fulham that he be allowed to play) but the Asian contingent will be in full showing – including captain Lucas Neill, Alex Brosque, Sasa Ognenovski and the return of former national team hero Mark Bresciano.
On the A-League front, it’s a long awaited return to the green and gold for Nicky Carle, who will be joined by team mate Brett Emerton and finally, finally the debuting Erik Paartalu.
So despite the lack of lustre from a competitive standpoint, there will still be a lot to pique my interest in this one, especially as we’d rather see one of the awful Oman or Thailand teams go through ahead of Saudi Arabia, who are quite good on occasion.
Join us just before kick-off for Holger’s starting line-up and all the other team news.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
There must be hundreds, or even thousands, of football websites that would have had this result. Best option is FIFA.com - live scores for all the WCQs. The sbs.com website has live scores, too. I certainly wouldn't be using yahoo.com as the default source for football news.
Ryan
Guest
What a joke!!! I couldn't find the result of this game on the au.yahoo.com homepage. had to do a google search to find out if Australia won lol. Shame the press didn't show much enthusiasm about this tonight. Oh well, hope we make it to the world cup :)
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
KOR have not yet qualified. Just started the 2nd half in Group B and scores are: KOR 0-0 KUW UAE 2-2 LIB The Group is up for grabs. Only UAE is out. If KOR loses & LIB wins or draws with UAE, then KOR is out of WC2014! Important 40 mins coming up.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Oh dear ... I'm just home from the game and read that comment :-) As soon as Archie came on the game changed. What an unbelievable effort from the lads in a game that meant nothing to them and meant everything to KSA. Watching our National Football team is about the only time I feel proud to be an Aussie these days.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Wilkshire & McKay were suspended for this match - having picked up 2 yellows. Josh Kennedy, Zullo, Valeri & Jedinak all had 1 yellow and, if they picked up a yellow tonight, they'd be suspended for the 1st game in the next round of qualifiers - so too risky. Lucas Neill was the only Aussie on a yellow card, who played tonight. And, the Skipper was superb!
Pete #205
Guest
No, like "injured" in the literal sence. Hence why they haven't beeqn in the Utrecht squad at all lately. Not that they've seen much game time lately anyway.
Stoffy18
Roar Guru
I love the code names we have in Australian sport these days.. "rested" and "injured' are no longer literal terms.
jamesb
Guest
just as well the Australia won tonight, otherwise, Palmer would've litigated against the socceroos good win, unlucky it wasn't 5-2 this win should mean that we are seeded with japan ahead of Korea
Pete #205
Guest
Word is those two are injured.
dasilva
Guest
The european players were all rested for this qualifiers. Osieck decided to not select them for the dead rubber. Only Schwarzer and Troisi who volunteered to play were selected
Whites
Guest
Looks like only the big 3 from east Asia are through to the next round of qualifying. Australia, Japan, South Korea plus 7 from west Asia will be in the draw next Friday night.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
OH right - because most of the European players weren't granted leave. Schwarzer was a special case.
Stoffy18
Roar Guru
My point is why are they not playing now, especially Oar and Zullo?
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
What? Garcia aside those guys will all play for Australia for many years to come. Holman is our best player.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
Well, Oman grabbed a late second goal and they are on their way to a next round1! (thanks to Whites for his score updates throughout the blog) But on to this game - that Saudi goal just before half time really fired the boys up and after a spray at the interval from Holger Osieck, came out ready to play and could've scored more than the four that they did. I absolutely loved seeing Bresciano back in the fold and really pulling the strings in midfield...who knew he could sit so deep and be effective? Archie Thompson's arrival really sparked the Socceroos, and it was great to see some heavy A-League involvement in most of the play going forward. The defending was lazy at times, and they'll need to play a full 90, not just a 45 if we want to get past the likes of Korea and whoever else. Oh, and I can't help but feel for Lucas Neill, robbed of his first ever International goal on a blown call from the linesman. Anyway, this blog has been one of the most fun I've done, thanks to everybody who commented and followed us throughout the evening. Feel free to shoot me a tweet/follow me on @TheMattBungard if you enjoyed it. Thanks, and see you next time.
Stoffy18
Roar Guru
where art thou Luke Wilkshire, Brett Holman, Richard Garcia, Tommy Oar and Michael Zullo? The average lifespan for an Australian footballer - 2-3 years..
Punter
Guest
Amazing, I left to pick up my daughters from a dance, we were 2-1 down, got back & we were winning 4-2. Lucky I IQed the game
Griffo
Roar Guru
Good return by Bresciano tonight I thought. Seemed to be in everything during the second half.
Whites
Guest
Australia and Oman go through.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
FULL TIME AUSTRALIA 4 SAUDI ARABIA 2