The Socceroos’ next generation get their first taste of competitive football tonight when they face Hong Kong to open their 2013 East Asian Cup qualifying campaign. We’ll have live scores and commentary from kick-off at 11.30pm AEDT.
While there are a host of the A-League’s finest young talent in Holger Osieck’s squad for the 2013 East Asian Cup qualifying campaign, most eyes will be focused on one midfielder set to make his competitive debut.
2012 has seen Tom Rogic go from the obscurity of the ACT Premier League to Mariners playmaker and now finally to the Socceroos and it will be exciting to watch Australia’s finest young footballer take his next step.
The team, selected almost exclusively of A-League players, might not be up against much opposition in the 172nd ranked Hong Kong but any competitive experience is invaluable as the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign comes to its zenith next year.
In reality, many in this squad won’t be travelling to Brazil if the Socceroos do indeed qualify, but the tournament presents another opportunity for the likes of Archie Thompson, Matt McKay and Brett Emerton to solidify their position within the senior team.
For Rogic, Red Star Belgrade striker Eli Babalj and Aziz Behich, the upcoming four games allows a chance to continue to remind Holger Osieck of their readiness to go to Brazil.
Given that the side has had little time to prepare it will be important that the senior players named in the starting lineup guide the team, and Emerton, Richard Garcia and Archie Thompson need to lead their younger teammates.
DPR Korea look the main dangers to Australia joining Japan, China and South Korea in the 2013 East Asian Cup next year and with the Socceroos facing the Koreans on Wednesday, a dominant performance tonight will give the side momentum going into their litmus test.
Barring a minor catastrophe the Socceroos will collect three points tonight, but what most Socceroos fans will want to see is a dominant, commanding performance to compliment the win.
Note: Despite information on the FFA website during the day stating the match will begin at 8.30pm AEDT, it will in fact kick-off at 11.30pm AEDT. You can stream the action online at The World Game, or follow the action with our live blog right here.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Thanks Chad. Until Wednesday peeps...
Chad Bennett
Editor
FULL TIME: Hong Kong 0-1 Socceroos In difficult conditions on a pitch not worthy of a State League game the Socceroos end up with a 1-0 victory courtesy of a Brett Emerton strike with five minutes remaining. The Australian team began to assert their authority in the second half and with the chances continuing to mount up it was a deserved winner. The Socceroos collect three points and look toward Wednesday, when they face DPR Korea in the game that will likely decide the group.
Chad Bennett
Editor
90 +3' Hong Kong 0-1 Socceroos Nearly a test as Hong Kong break quickly after turning the ball over in the centre circle, but it is closed down quickly by Milligan, who has also looked solid in the middle of the park.
Griffo
Roar Guru
A Hong Kong player is off for a second yellow?
Chad Bennett
Editor
90 +1' Hong Kong 0-1 Socceroos Hong Kong still looking to push forward but the Socceroos defence stands and easily passes out of trouble via Emerton, who hasn't stopped running. Well, except for now, he'll have a (slightly) early finish, as Terry Antonis comes on.
Chad Bennett
Editor
90' Hong Kong 0-1 Socceroos That should be about enough for the Socceroos to close this one out. They've slowly won this arm wrestle in the second half and to be fair they've done it with some nice passing football in ordinary conditions. If they do hang on, it will be job well done from Osieck given the circumstances.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Rogic created that pass for Taggart...where getting more control of the match as it closes.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Emerton looks knackered. Rogic nearly scores again but saved off the line.
Chad Bennett
Editor
87' Hong Kong 0-1 Socceroos It's Rogic again. A perfectly timed ball from Rogic releases Taggart down the right hand side on the patchiest part of the ground, Taggart cuts inside his man on the byline and lays the ball onto Rogic, whose run onto the penalty spot allowed him to get a shot on target. Not a great effort but enough to draw a save. Five minutes and he's already been super.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Captain Emerton scores, just calmly moved to the side and curled it around the keeper. Hong Kong at that point had a double block going for the draw...what will they do now?
Chad Bennett
Editor
Emerton has been the Socceroos best in the second half and he again drifts into the area, patiently picks his spot and curls a left shot toward the top left corner to find what should be the winner!!!
Paul
Guest
Take that back. Was screaming at the computer "This is the moment!"
Chad Bennett
Editor
85' Hong Kong 0-1 Socceroos SOCCEROOS GOAL!!!
Chad Bennett
Editor
85' Hong Kong 0-0 Socceroos Rogic has an immediate effect. His shot from distance was saved for a corner, and then he skips past a defender before slipping on the turf.
Paul
Guest
May be well too late
Griffo
Roar Guru
Much better by Australia, keeping possesion on the 18's and working it in...Rogic nearly scores but keeper saves.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Rogic...Rogic...Rogic...
Chad Bennett
Editor
82' Hong Kong 0-0 Socceroos Socceroos with two big chances in 30 seconds! Beautiful skill from Emerton to find Garcia who flashed a dangerous cross across the face, before the Socceroos get a penalty shout waved away after (McKay?) went down in the area. That will be Garcia's last involvement he is subbed for... Rogic!
Griffo
Roar Guru
Geez that was close...a bit of improvisation by Emerton, no one on the end of Garcia's cross across goal A Hong Kong player is down...
Griffo
Roar Guru
A very frustrated looking Holger... ...a few subs?