The Socceroos have qualified for the 2014 World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Iraq, with substitute Josh Kennedy’s 83rd minute header sealing Australia’s ticket to Brazil.
The Socceroos were nearly off to the perfect start in the second minute when Tim Cahill’s curling effort looked goalbound, but Iraq captain Noor Sabri was quick to react and make a parrying save.
It was the home side who settled better and their next chance came from an unlikely source.
From an unsuccessful free kick the ball found Lucas Neill out wide and his first-time cross picked out centre-half partner Sasa Ognenovski, whose glancing header flashed over.
The penetration that Robbie Kruse and Tommy Oar provided against Jordan seemed absent, and Australia seemed to revert to their well-worn tactic of trying to find Cahill in the air.
Cahill rose well from a Luke Wilkshire corner in the 28th minute and headed down powerfully, but his header bounced comfortably in the arms of Sabri in the Iraqi goal.
Six minutes later Cahill had another chance when Sabri failed to deal with a cross from the left, with Cahill attempting an audacious over-the-shoulder volley that went inches wide of the right post.
In the latter stages of the half it was the visitors who begun to look the slicker of the two sides, particularly through 17-year-old midfielder Humam Tariq, but their chances were largely reduced to poorly executed set pieces.
The Socceroos were the first back onto the pitch but it was Iraq who created the first chance of the second period, with Saif Salman unleashing a 25-yard drive that bounced awkwardly in front of a scrambling Mark Schwarzer to make his first save of the night.
As the rain began to fall an already atrocious ANZ Stadium surface worsened and Australia’s frustration grew, as evidenced by Mark Bresciano’s wild shot from distance that flew well over.
As the hour mark passed Australia’s stagnant performance was invigorated by the introduction of Tom Rogic, who replaced Brett Holman in the 61st minute, and the Celtic midfielder’s impact was immediate.
Picking up the ball on the edge of the area, Rogic skipped between two Iraq challenges but could only slice wide off his left from a difficult angle.
Shortly afterwards the Socceroos were celebrating what they thought was the opener, but Robbie Kruse’s powerful driven effort was cancelled out for a foul by Sasa Ognenovski from the preceding corner.
An increasingly desperate Osieck replaced Cahill with Josh Kennedy with 15 minutes remaining, and soon afterwards brought on Archie Thompson for the ineffective Robbie Kruse.
But any doubt over the German’s substitutions evaporated in the 83rd minute when Bresciano picked out an unmarked Kennedy with a deft chip, and the Nagoya Grampus frontman headed down in trademark fashion to send the crowd of 80,523 into a frenzy.
Nervy moments would continue right through until the end of the third minute of stoppage time, when referee Alireza Faghani’s whistle confirmed Australia’s passage to their third successive World Cup.
It mightn’t have been the Socceroos’ most convincing performance of the campaign, but analysis can wait for another day. Tonight, Australia celebrates.
[roar_cat_gal]
David Jones
Roar Rookie
Can you believe that ground hadn't been used for nearly 3 weeks since the first SOO NRL game and South Sydney played their home games away to help out - thanks NRL. Just the same it wasn't that great a surface.
CmonJETS
Guest
physically exhausted, hoarse throat, shattered nerves and beer all over the couch (mrs very happy) from the 83rd minute explosion of emotion.....all part of the experience with knowledgeable mates. I want more. If anyone can help advise on the best way to experience the WC in Rio for this first timer, I need to hear it so I can get in early. still buzzing
Cameron
Roar Guru
Mate if you have been reading every one of my posts I have not really degraded HO that often. I did earlier on in the campaign but over the course of these past three matches I have strayed very far away from that... Three good matches does not make you a great coach. READ ABOVE... I proved you wrong there. SO who is the one who knows nothing of football. I am not afraid to continue proving you wrong you arrogant...
Cameron
Roar Guru
Mate, you have no idea do you... That was Australia's second match in this group stage and the result was 1-1, not a LOSS! Stop talking. Our first match we played in this group also resulted in a draw so from our first two matches we didn't look good at all, were dominated by Japan, held my Oman and things looked quite bleak from the outset. Our next match was then a loss to Jordan. So we were 0 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss. Can you honestly say that you felt back then we would make it and you were talking about it... HERE!!! Hmm... you clearly already stuffed up in your reply so just bugger off. You are my serial pest!
Roger
Guest
The only hope we have is if we reinvigorate the team. We don't have stars, so it can only happen if we employ the best of the A-League in their correct positions. A real LB for example would be fantastic. Perhaps a couple of CBs that are under 30. Even if we achieve this, they will not be gifted stars, but hopefully we can achieve a cohesive unit with stamina.
Top Secret
Roar Pro
You are an armchair critic Kellett. Giving to Holgar non stop but not willing to praise him when he pulls offf a masterstroke. A lesser manager wouldnt have got Australia to the world cup. Brilliant performance. You know nothing about football im afraid. Back to Home and Away.
Top Secret
Roar Pro
Whoa, so you believe Australia would qualify after the Japan loss. What a prediction! You could be the next Les Murray! As for not wanting to change your mind about Holgar, that truly shows how much you know.
Neil
Guest
My view of the match is that Australia let itself down with the standard of the pitch. Using multi-use stadiums is problematic, but stadium staff need more direction & monitoring from the FFA to prepare multi-use facilities. Cricket seems to manage it ok.
Ralph Nadeer
Roar Rookie
Lets see the draw first and who we are playing. Don't be surprised if there is a big improvement and new blood added. Will be the first time that the Socceroos team that qualified is weaker than the team that plays in the tournament. Brazil 2014 is still over 12 months away man.
Ralph Nadeer
Roar Rookie
Brilliant result in the end - I told yous so. What were you worried about man. Socceroos making headlines around the football planet http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jun/18/australia-qualify-world-cup-2014-match-report
my left foot
Guest
Kennedy was a good sub, Cahill was off. Lucky Iraq was half stregnth, becuase Ogmonster and Wilkshire were off as well.
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
I wonder where I can get one of those 1974, 2006, 2010, 2014 shirts.
Griffo
Guest
It was a good call. Cahill's reaction and what he said about the balls he was getting being rubbished showed he was frustrated and a cool head and fresh set of legs was just what was needed
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
Being at this level consistently is already having a huge impact on our national team, I wouldn't rub your hands wishing bad luck on us too soon because we're just going to get better and better. Give up your hopes on seeing us fall and if you can't say anything nice, go back to whatever silly little game you watch.
my left foot
Guest
Cheers mate, good luck to you.
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
I'll own up to that, I was worried when he made the call, it seemed like even the 4th official didn't believe Cahill was coming off.
Nathan
Guest
Nobody singles out armchair critics when they're right
Johnno
Guest
There's no way he would of dared behaved like that towards Hiddink. Hence why I think, Holger doesn't have the respect of the dressing room. I never saw Pim or Terry Venables treated in that manner either, or Alex Ferguson.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Then I guess that's it... Thank you all for coming... See you in four years when we hopefully do it all over again... I really hope you're wrong! Australia, don't settle for just qualifying, continue to do what you do best! Give the world cup a shake and show them what us Aussies are made of!
Kozcongo
Guest
Go the roos -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.