Socceroos stalwart Brett Emerton came to the rescue of an unconvincing Australian side, netting the winner in the dying minutes in their 1-0 win over lowly Hong Kong.
At No.172 Hong Kong are the lowest ranked team 33rd-ranked Australia have ever played yet the Socceroos never looked to get on top of the hosts despite having the lion’s share of possession in their East Asian Cup qualifier.
Brisbane duo Ivan Franjic and Matthew Smith made their international debuts on Monday night.
But late substitute Adam Taggart, also earning his first cap, and Central Coast dynamo Thomas Rogic injected the pace Australia needed in the final stages.
A well organised Hong Kong side who played a short, sharp passing game.
There was little action in front of goal in the opening half with the first real shot coming in the 30th minute courtesy of Hong Kong’s Chan Man Fai.
Australia had a chance to go ahead moments later when an Emerton free-kick caused panic in the penalty box but Mark Milligan lost a goal-mouth scramble with ‘keeper Yapp Hung Fai.
Aziz Behich played a perfect ball to Matt McKay who looked like scoring but sent his powerful volley over the crossbar.
Melbourne Victory striker Archie Thompson continued the Australian assault with a shot just before the break but misfired.
The hosts were fired up in the second half and Lo Kwan Yee forced a early save by Socceroos ‘keeper Eugene Galekovic.
Australia started showing signs of frustration and skipper Emerton was booked for an bad tackle.
Lo threatened again in the 50th minute keeping Adelaide gloveman Galekovic busy with another strike.
The shots kept coming from the hosts, with Galekovic doing well to save a strike from Lee Wai Lim.
Australia fired back with shots from Thompson and Franjic, but never really looked convincing.
In an attempt to add pace up front Osieck substituted Taggart for Thompson in the 70th minute.
He then brought Rogic on for Richard Garcia ten minutes later and the impressive youngster didn’t take long to have an impact, forcing a save from Yapp with his first touch.
But it was veteran Emerton who finally found the net for Australia in the 86th minute.
Sydney FC teen Terry Antonis came on in the final minute as the fourth player to make his debut.
Ballymore
Guest
I have a question if anyone has any ideas. Firstly, I recognise that these qualification matches are not on a FIFA dates, so clubs are under no obligation to release players. Did the FFA approach European clubs who have young Australians not playing regularly (or not at all) to see if they could be released? Thinking of Langerak, Amini and Luongo and co. I only say that because I would think the opporunity to play competitive international matches might benefit their development more than playing reserves/youth teams or simply training?
dasilva
Guest
scott mcintyre claims that big guns were being saved for North Korea after an interviewwith Holger during the world game I hope he is right
Midfielder
Guest
The Mariners' philosophy.. also see parts of the COE in the background.. http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/video/2310908326/Arnold-on-Mariners-philosophy
dasilva
Guest
Yep Holger Out I wonder whether we can convince Guus Hiddink to delay his retirement I'm not convince whether holger can lead the teams to win all the home match and we are at risk at finishing 3rd in the group
dasilva
Guest
2/3 overseas player were born in Japan but had North Korean heritage. They never played domestic football in North Korea so I assume it's one of those poached players.who wanted to play international football. However one overseas player were born in north Korea and then played in Serbia and then Russia. I'm not sure how Hong Yong-Jo manage to emigrate there and he was the captain of the 2010 world cup team. Funny enough after the 2010 world cup. North Korea did a public humiliation where they were forced to be abuse by a large crowds but the 2 japanese players were exempted from that but I think the captain voluntarily attended the public humiliation
Midfielder
Guest
Real Be interesting to see Fozzie's reaction tonight...
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"Well North Korea side qualified to the world cup with only three players playing outside North Korea." I'm surprised there were any PRK players playing outside the country. PRK has a political system that's not too keen on promoting career opportunities overseas.
dasilva
Guest
How many people would be confidant of an A-league only squad (let say + 3 overseas player) qualifying to the World Cup? Well North Korea side qualified to the world cup with only three players playing outside North Korea I think that shows that North Korea would be downright tough match
Realfootball
Guest
Sack Osieck now. The man is a clueless dunce. He and Verbeek are pees from a pod. Reactionary, timid, conservative career number 2s completely without the vision or expertise to be head coaches of any meaningful team. The selection last night was a disgrace to Australian football.
Paul
Guest
Ernie Merrick used to coach Hong Kong until not that long ago. One could see a few hallmarks of the Melbourne Victory sides of old, the fast counter-attacking style. That McKee fellow gave Australia trouble all night as well, he was surely man-of-the-match.
jmac
Guest
All depends how strong this DPR Korea team actually is. Anyone have any idea on this point? From the looks of it there are 4 or 5 players from their WC2010 team.
AGO74
Guest
Spot on fadida. Rogic is one of the things I was really looking forward to in this HAL and thankfully he is going great guns. His long stride belies his pace. Amini dropped the ball a bit last year with CCM. I suspect even though he was physically in Gosford that he was mentally in Dortmund. I know he's playing for their 2nd team but does anybody really know how he is progessing in Deutschland?
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
Kebab, As long as he does it Kent Brockman style: "Halfback passes to the center. Back to the wing. Back to the center. Center holds it. Holds it.... Holds it"
The Kebab Connoisseur
Guest
Got a chum that lives up there, I'll give him a ring to see if he is available to do the call.
dasilva
Guest
When I saw that lineup I had the same reaction as Foster had with Pim when he saw the lineup against Germany Which is basically sack him on the spot (or in foster case, sent a group of ex-socceroos captain and get him to explain the selection and if the response isn't good enough, sack him) Wasn't Garcia up front in this match as well (or at least behind thompson) similar to the germany match Australia was completely lacking invention in that match and when Rogic came on he made the difference straight away. I just don't understand the overly cautious nature aganist hong Kong playing 4 CB
Midfielder
Guest
Griffo The game I saw Holman in he was putting people in gaps ... running off the ball holding it up... he was very impressive in a non impressive side .. his short passing in tight position was sharp and quick...
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
That wouldn’t match with Holger’s past behavior at all and giving his use of subs in the game against Hong Kong I don’t think he’s going to change anytime soon. It's no mystery that the North Korean game is the most important and I can’t see him giving debuts in that match. I suspect it will be pretty much the same starting 11 (maybe Rogic starting) and that he saw the Hong Kong game as the warm up for the North Korea game. Help the group gel etc. He did the same with the Lebanese friendly and played the same tired senior players again. One change I could see would perhaps Rogic coming into the starting 11 so he can play Mckay at left back or something else incredibly maddening.
dasilva
Guest
Yeah it's a joke I can' help feel it's one of those stereotypes and prejudice of "arrogant disrespectful westerners" and then the media is looking for something to play to the prejudice of the population similar to the whole current affair things in Australia.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
North Korea are very tough to break down and they love to counter attack. That's how they qualified for the last World Cup and they looked pretty good against Brazil. When they didn't park the bus against Portugal..... not so well. I don't think it's a huge shame to draw with them and finish second in the group. It's a tough format, but I really really want the Socceroos to win this. 3 good games in Seoul that will be great World Cup preparation and I can see it live. Hopefully we do pinch it from a set piece or through Archie Thompson.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
jmac Yes, I understand that but, as far as I'm concerned, if AUS draws any of these matches we don't deserve to qualify. I'm normally very charitable in my assessment of the AUS NT & Holger. But, no excuses from me this tournament. Whilst we must respect every opponent, there is no reason for AUS not to win every match. Our players are technically competent & physically in peak condition. The only variables are: tactical (this is where Holger earns his wage) and mental (up to the player & Holger).