The Socceroos have brought themselves within one point of Jordan at the top of their World Cup qualifying group with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Kyrgyzstan, all but ruining the chances of reaching a maiden World Cup for the Central Asian side.
After starting with a positive flurry of offence, the Australian’s were slowed down by a resilient and strong Kyrgyzstan defense that fought off as long as they could against an aggressive attack.
It took a 40th minute spot kick from skipper Mile Jedinak to open the scoring for the home side, calmly slotting into the right hand corner after a sloppy challenge on Burns from Shamshiev.
The goal right before the break will have hurt the Kyrgz but nothing could have prepared them for the relentless onslaught that came out in the second stanza. Enjoying 68% of possession it was just a matter of time before the lead was doubled on the back of the right foot of perennial goal scorer Tim Cahill, netting his 42nd international goal.
Australia were very unlucky not to have been up by a lot more considering the sheer amount of opportunities and shots on goal they were presented with, but credit must go to the Kyrgyzstan defense who would just not concede defeat and fought right up till the very end.
The final nail in the coffin came in the form of an Amirov own goal that completely sunk the Kyrgz and all but sealed their fate in, not only this game, but their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Final Score
Australia – 3
Kyrgyzstan – 0
The Socceroos will be looking to pick up their second win against Kyrgyzstan tonight when they face off in their Group B World Cup Qualifying clash in the nation’s capital of Canberra. Catch the live scores and commentary on The Roar from 8:00pm (AEDT).
This is a vital game for both sides as they look to secure their top two finish in Pool B of the AFC World Cup bracket and advance into the third round of qualifying.
Australia are currently in second place after their surprise 2-0 loss at the hands of Jordan last month which has left them trailing the Jordanians by four points in their group.
Kyrgyzstan is hot on their heels, just one point behind in third spot having dispatched of the winless Bangladesh in their last match.
The Kyrgyz haven’t lost a match in their group since their 2-1 defeat to the Socceroos back in June at Spartak Stadium.
Both sides have struggled for goals throughout these qualifying stages so the coaches have no doubt been drilling their players on getting an early lead and forcing the opposition into playing out of their comfort zone.
Ange Postecoglou has brought back Crystal Palace skipper Mile Jedinak into the squad who hasn’t played for his country since scoring against Kyrgyzstan in their previous encounter.
Goalkeeper Mat Ryan is in doubt to take the pitch, still recovering from a right knee injury that has kept him out of action since August; only having taken part in three training sessions for club side Valencia in that time.
Defender Matthew Spiranovic has been ruled out of this game and Mat Leckie is in doubt following a bout of sickness that has prevented him from travelling for the time being.
For Kyrgyzstan, lone goalscorer against the Socceroos Almazbek Mirzaliev has been hampered by a calf strain but is still fully expected to at least take his place on the bench.
Prediction
At home and looking to avenge their loss to Jordan, the Socceroos will be hungry for a win to secure their passage through to the third round of qualifying.
Kyrgyzstan have been in great form since the last time these two met and are breathing down the neck of the Australians but I just can’t see them pulling off the win.
Australia to win 2-0.
Expected line-ups
Australia – Federici; Davidson, Spiranovic, Wright, Wilkinson; Milligan, Rogić; Oar, Mooy, Luongo; Leckie.
Kyrgyzstan – Matiash; Kichin, Maier, Baymatov, Kozubaev; Sidorenko, Musabekov, Zemlianukhin, Bernhardt; Murzaev, Lux.
Join The Roar from 8:00pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
I think we're on the same wavelength mate :)
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Funnily enough, I was watching the game on my iPad, and on the small screen, the first fiew times I saw Mooy, I asked myself: is that Bresh? It's not just the head, the way he holds his body and moves reminds me a lot of Bresh (of course Mooy is more of a true central midfielder than Bresh was).
jbinnie
Guest
RBB - Yes I watched the match and noted that some of the misses were unbelievable but that was my point exactly,until such times as we start to convert the chances we make we will continue to struggle against lesser teams. No matter how well your team play out on the general field of play one must never forget the main aim in the game is to put the ball in the back of the net more often than your opponent. That said there was much good to come out of the game the left back did his job very well, Burns made a huge contribution during his short spell, Mooy lifted his game from HAL standard to international standard,most of the others performed as expected,and -------most importantly,------the opposition were nowhere near as well organised as were Jordan in our recent game against them. I tend to agree with AP's observation,it should and could have been 10. Cheers jb
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
We had some cracking shots on goal, however MOTM was the Kyrgyz goalkeeper Matiash who pulled some superb reflex saves founded upon very intelligent positioning. An entertaining game all round. Kyrgyzstan were trying to give the game a shake and we were trying the same. We looked good going forward and would have scored far more but for some great goalkeeping and a huge work-rate from the Kyrgyz centre backs who put in some superb late blocks. The folks in Canberra had a good night out. Lucky buggers :)
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Did you watch the match at least JB? Some of the misses you needed to see to believe.
jbinnie
Guest
Albatross - Glad someone else noticed for we are still behind Jordan in that department.Mind you when one considers we scored with a penalty and an own goal it starts to pose the question,how can we dominate a game so much and yet only manufacture one clear cut chance that was despatched to the net.I refuse point blank to believe this is not a problem that is starting to worry AP for with the prospect of running into better teams than this opponent it is a weakness that has to be addressed. Good football,no matter how good,does not win matches.goals win games and even Timmy,a noted finisher, was finding that was not so easy on the night. Was the other team incredibly lucky or was it just that our finishing was poor.? That is the question. jb
Declan
Guest
Bresh reincarnated
pete4
Guest
I find Jason Culina commentary is hilarious at SBS. I mean every match it seems he always starts a sentence "it was poor"
Connor Bennett
Editor
The worst opportunity possible to show his worth while Matt Ryan wasn't there
Bondy
Guest
Federicci had to do F all, he's gloves weren't really even stung ...
Connor Bennett
Editor
He's got the head for it
Connor Bennett
Editor
The game started with a floury from the Socceroos but Kyrgyzstan fought hard to settle the game and create a tight contest for most of the first half. It would take a bad tackle in the penalty area in the 40th minute to open the scoring when Jedinak calmly netted the spot kick as he has many times before. Kyrgyzstan will have no doubt been disappointed with the late goal but nothing could prepare them from the onslaught that took place in the second half. Absolute dominance and a relentless pounding off the Kyrgz defense resulted in a fine breakaway goal from perennial goal scorer Tim Cahill. The final nail in the coffin came in the form of an Amirov own goal off the back of a corner. Postecoglou will be happy with the win but work will need to be done on their finishing and taking advantage of their opportunities.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
I have to say if anyone was paying attention, MILLIGAN WAS A BEAST. The guy is a serious workhorse, just an amazing player. He is our junkyard dog and mops up everything at the back, times his tackles well and then releases good simple passes on the money. Such an underrated player.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
We butchered a lot of chances. Could have been 7-0, the football we played was very good.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
OK, too early to call but is Mooy the new Bresciano?
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I think you're right, in the end, there was only one goal from open play, but in truth, stacks of chances fell to players inside the six yard box, so at least a few goals have gone begging for no real good reason.
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULL TIME Australia close in on top spot in their Group B qualifying table. On the other hand this all but ends Kyrgyzstan's World Cup dreams now trailing second spot by four points with few games to go. A dominant display from the Socceroos ends with three goals to nil but it could have been so so much more for Australia having an incredibly one sided shot count and possession stat. Australia – 3 Kyrgyzstan – 0
albatross
Roar Pro
shoulda got that fourth or fifth one to catch up on Jordan's GD
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +3 One last attack from KGZ ends with a quite average shot on goal. On a lighter note that's the first save of the night for Fedirici Australia – 3 Kyrgyzstan – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +1 Cahill not offside this time, sells the dummy and cuts it back past the sliding defender and hits the shot but a fantastic effort from Matiash keeps the ball out. Australia – 3 Kyrgyzstan – 0