The Socceroos will be looking for another comprehensive victory tonight when they face Chinese Taipei in their final 2013 East Asian Cup qualifying game. We’ll have live scores and streaming from 8.00pm AEDT.
Socceroos boss Holger Osieck found himself under pressure after the team’s first two qualifying matches but he redeemed himself to an extent on Friday night.
Rogic, Babalj and Mooy were all named and the trio justified their selection with strong performances, with Babalj netting two and midfield general Mooy also finding himself on the scoresheet, with Heart youngster Michael Marrone also scoring.
With the Socceroos and DPR Korea both level on points and goal difference, expected victories against Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong respectively will mean that qualification into the 2013 tournament will come down to goal difference.
DPR Korea were able to hand out a 6-1 hiding to Chinese Taipei on the opening day of the qualification stage and if Australia can replicate their freewheeling performance from Friday night it is expected they should get a similiar result.
Osieck named a youthful side to play on Friday night after being heavily criticised for playing an older, more conservative starting XI in the opening games.
With the likes of Brett Emerton and Richard Garcia, who were both rested on Friday night, coming back into the selection frame after a four-day break it will be interesting to see which way Osieck elects to go.
The German may revert back to something close to his original lineup given the stakes are now higher, but it is hoped that he will continue with the likes of Babalj and Mooy, who well and truly justified their starting berths on Friday.
Whether the Socceroos qualify or not it is another good opportunity to examine Australia’s next generation and if they do get on the field they will do the job.
Roger
Guest
I'm looking forward to the comp!
Roger
Guest
Agree Qantas
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Nice work by the lads. Played the tournament to perfection. I admit, I was frustrated after the HKG & PRK matches but, Holger knew what he was doing - that's why he's the manager & I'm sitting on my couch in Melbourne. Qualifying for the EAFF Cup is simply MASSIVE for the AUS NT. It sets up a mouthwatering month of real competitive international football matches - not friendlies or "test matches", but meaningful matches - for June-July 2013 with AUS playing: JPN (twice), JOR, IRQ, KOR & CHN. In fact for the 12 months Jul-2012 to Jul-2013, AUS will have played 17 matches - 14 competitive & 3 practice/friendlies. At US$1m/match in TV rights that's nice coin for the FFA.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Taggart's scored for the Young Socceroos while away from the Jets. Started first game against Adelaide and what looked to be Goodwin at first turned out to be Taggart as Goodwin had bleeched his hair... ...a good attacker who likes to take on players. Why he isn't selected more at the Jets (when he's there and not on international duty) but perhaps just a look by Holger at a recommendation, and may not see him again for a while in the senior squad.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Apparently 'lots will be drawn'... ..no WTF moment there, apparently the team would be decided by being drawn out of a bowl, or something... ...lucky we didn't have to find out what that was in the end.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Well done Osie---winners are grinners and Osie has a big grin on his dial tonight... Perfect handling of the squad and team selections in the beginning right to the end..
Griffo
Roar Guru
Just seeing Aaron Mooys free kick from various angles now, and again left with the impression how good a free kick that would have been against any side - top left corner with the keeper no where near it. Must be one player that could easily fill in for the oft-times fragile Marco Bresciano, a player who has come back into the 'roos and helped create chances that we had before seemed to lack.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Australia 8 : Chinese Taipei 0 Goal Difference for qualification : +4 Australia went into the match needing more than a four goal difference to qualify for the East Asia Cup next year and ended up having four goals to spare against a spirited but tired Chinese Taipei side. In the end, Holger's selection and team strategy has seen Australia qualify easily although some if's and but's for the first two games with an older, somewhat more experienced side seemingly finding it hard work against Hong Kong and the tough North Korea. Perhaps a pause then as the players receive the pictured qualification certificates from the EAFF, and Archie receives the player of the tournament award, in which Archie overdoes the victory celebrations there... Holger then perhaps still the man to steer Australia to world cup qualification although how many players from the EAFF qualification tournament have firmed themselves into selection plans and part of the run in squad and how many have been firmed as fringe Socceroos should the senior players become unavailable? Our first taste of that will come after the new year as world cup qualification kicks off again. Been great seeing the 'roos in action. As the players line up for the victory photo shot with the EAFF qualification trophy, have a good week.
Roger
Guest
Sack the coach! No.... wait.....
Griffo
Roar Guru
FULL TIME - Australia 8 : Chinese Taipei 0 Goal Difference for qualification : +4 Well the referee blows the whistle 18 seconds after the 90th minute to put and end to the match.
Griffo
Roar Guru
90min - Australia 8 : Chinese Taipei 0 Goal Difference for qualification : +4 Just shy of the 9-th and Emerton puts in a tired cross after some good build up play by Australia.
Griffo
Roar Guru
88min - Australia 8 : Chinese Taipei 0 Goal Difference for qualification : +4 Antonis gives away a free kick in attack 20 yards out after doing well tto keep possession in attack. Mooy as ever now generating a new attacking wave for Australia.
Griffo
Roar Guru
84min - Australia 8 : Chinese Taipei 0 Goal Difference for qualification : +4 Archie with another chance to claim the all time Socceroo goal scoring record but it goes way over the bar in a hard attempt at goal. Taipei are tiring but still defending well. Taipei has their second attempt on goal and Ryan does well to get down and save the attempt in the 86th minute...
Griffo
Roar Guru
82min - Australia 8 : Chinese Taipei 0 Goal Difference for qualification : +4 Franjic crosses in but it goes off a Chinese Taipei defender for an own goal. Not something you want happening during any game and the #18 lies on the ground in disbelief.
Griffo
Roar Guru
79min - Australia 7 : Chinese Taipei 0 Goal Difference for qualification : +3 Mooy to Archie to Anotonis, who does a deft flick back for Emerton but is wrong footed and the move breaks down. Australia still moving the ball well but still having to work hard for the eighth goal. Another corner for Australia but comes to nothing.
Griffo
Roar Guru
77min - Australia 7 : Chinese Taipei 0 Goal Difference for qualification : +3 Archie crosses into the far post from the right flank but noone there for the 'roos. McKay the next play has a shot but over the bar.
Griffo
Roar Guru
75min - Australia 7 : Chinese Taipei 0 Goal Difference for qualification : +3 Emerton with a corner but goes back out to Emerton whose cross back in is defended well. After a throw, Taipei almost has a quick counter but Ryna quickly switches the play to the left flank...
Griffo
Roar Guru
73min - Australia 7 : Chinese Taipei 0 Goal Difference for qualification : +3 Archie nearly scores his record breaking goal ahead of Mori, but it goes over the keeper and off the far post and back out into play. Oh so close and at least a goal for Archie tonight with a bit more luck.
Griffo
Roar Guru
72min - Australia 7 : Chinese Taipei 0 Goal Difference for qualification : +3 Mooy again showing his close control and technique but in the end could get the ball through. Mooy must be firming in Holger's plans for 2013 dare I say it...
Griffo
Roar Guru
70min - Australia 7 : Chinese Taipei 0 Goal Difference for qualification : +3 Taipei with a shot. Not giving up even with a number of goals behind as they are. More power to Taipei.