Australia have kicked off their next phase of qualification for the 2018 World Cup with a 2-0 win against Iraq in Perth.
It was by no means a cakewalk, but the result is all that matters in a long campaign.
Iraq were dutifully willing and determined to test their fancied hosts, but Australia took three points courtesy of close-range finishes from Massimo Luongo and Tomi Juric in the second half.
It was certainly an entertaining game – something fans should be expecting a fair few of in this group.
At fulltime in Perth, it’s Australia who are off to a good start towards their mission at Russia 2018.
Final score:
Australia 2
Iraq 0
Qualification for the 2018 World Cup resumes in the west, as Perth plays host for the first match of the fourth round of AFC qualification, where the Socceroos meet Iraq. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8:15pm (AEST).
A long stretch awaits for Australia to make a fourth successive World Cup, with ten matches in more than 12 months.
But the first step is against Iraq, and from the home comforts of Perth, it represents a theoretically simple task for Australia.
After a disappointing winter friendly campaign that saw losses against England and Greece, Ange Postecoglou’s mission will be to oversee a comfortable campaign ahead of next year’s Confederations Cup. To this end, the temptation will be to assert Australia’s continental dominance from the outset. A true surface at Perth Oval can only help in this regard.
Two upfront is the likely formation, with the now home-based Tim Cahill to play ahead of the in-form Tom Rogic. Robbie Kruse and Mathew Leckie will be employed in slightly wider roles in order to supplement to Cahill’s aerial prowess. .
The work of midfield will be crucial, with Aaron Mooy set to partner captain Mile Jedinak and Mark Milligan in controlling the pace of the contest.
Overall, the team will be employed to score goals, as is Postecoglou’s wont.
For Iraq, a tough opening trip to Perth against the reigning Asian champions is followed by a ‘home’ clash against Saudi Arabia in Malaysia next week. In two games where the Lions of Mesopotamia are rank outsiders, points are critical.
Iraq have never been an easy opponent for the Socceroos. Their most glorious match came during the group stage of their victorious 2007 Asian Cup campaign, where the fairytale journey began with a 3-1 triumph over a star-studded Australian line-up.
Coach Radhi Shenaishil’s team can perform for 90 minutes, and that alone will intrigue audiences if Australia are kept quiet early on.
Iraq’s chief goal threat comes from striker Alaa Abdul-Zahra, but service to the frontline is dependant on how much Saad Abdul-Amir is allowed to roam in midfield.
To counteract Australia’s likely dominance in possession, Iraq may employ a five-man midfield, with the American-born Justin Meram to base behind Abdul-Zahra in order to push Australia back. Former Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets midfielder Ali Abbas should be part of the midfield, where he may be required to perform a more defensive role.
At the back, the defensive line is lead by Ali Adnan, who has now earned semi-regular status at Serie A club Udinese, while Samal Saeed, Ahmad Ibrahim and Dhurgam Ismail form an experienced formation.
Iraq’s best hopes of an upset lie with how well they can nullify Australia’s midfield, and to that end, a spoiling game may be emphasised by Shenaishil.
Prediction
It won’t be the easiest 90 minutes, but expect Australia to begin their campaign with three points.
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
Not just the result. Overall performance I'd rate as the best ever against Iraq since we've joined the Asian Confederation. I don't ever recall AUS dominating an Iraqi team before, like we did last night. I know dominating isn't enough. We need goals, but we did score 2 and we did create enough chances to score half a dozen more. I'd be very concerned if we won 1-0, created nothing and possession was 50-50 or slightly in favour of the opposition. This is how it was under Pim Verbeek & Holger.
stu
Guest
If looking at the result only in isolation against Iraq, I agree, job done.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
That's why its a bit easier to follow the Footballroos at the moment, as opposed to the Wallabies or the Cricket team. The Footballroos are not out of their depth and qualifying for Russia 2018 is within their reach.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Fantastic result and a brilliant start from the boys. The first game can always be a bit tricky and you need a good result to get the confidence going for the next one. Two goal win and a clean sheet, top of the group already. let's hope we stay there.. Japan have shown they can be beaten at home and may not be as strong as we first expected. UAE away will be a good test and they continue to improve.
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
Australia hit the woodwork twice, Juric missed a tap in & the Iraq keeper blocked about 4 shots that were heading in - including a shot within the opening 10 seconds of the match. Australia totally dominated proceedings. Compare that to the way we were generally out-played against Iraq in June 2013 to qualify for Brasil World Cup. Do we need to be sharper? Yes. Do we need to be less sloppy with passing? Yes Do we need to be more clinical with finishing? Yes. We won 2-0 in a home World Cup Qualifier. Job Done.
stu
Guest
Last nights a tactics by AP were again very readable. If top quality players are following the script.....it works. Australia did what AP wants them to do as far as midfield, but they are truely woefull in the final third. It's not necessary here to identify those players, however I feel it is necessary to identify that we stop playing beyond the half way line. Happy to state that if Australia seeks success, they need imagination and flair in front of goal.
j binnie
Guest
Griffo -Your observation re. the defensive nature of the Iraq performance is well founded, it was noticeable that while the Ryan ,Milligan ,Sainsbury and the full backs retention of the ball was using time to start " building from the back" the Iraqies,almost to the man, used that time to retreat behind the halfway line thus making it extremely difficult for our "playmakers" to penetrate "the wall"that was created. Now this is not a new tactic being used by our Asian opponents, it is a tactic that has been developed in Europe and spread to other places as a counter to the type of football played by Barcelona in their heyday 4 or 5 years ago,and it is a constant tactic that will be played against teams that try to base their game on the "Barca method" as AP wants our boys to play. One of the commentators last night actually praised a "long ball", well struck by Ryan. as being the beginning of a move that almost resulted in a goal when in fact our boys were struggling o get through the defense. Ryan took the easy option and went over their heads.proving "there is more ways than one to skin a cat". Shades of the tactic used by Leicester last year with Schmeiicel consistently sending Vardy away on effective runs into the heart of the defence using such long balls. "If the shoe fits,wear it" thinking..Cheers jb
MatthewSkellett
Guest
I just get the feeling that Ange is developing probably the greatest Golden Era in Australian Football with the NT at such a depth of talent that it will shake the World . Rogic and Juric you can see have such potential to be the greatest australian footballers of all time . Bar WW3 we are in for a real treat . :-)
Jim Naisiom
Guest
I like Australia winning but ever a nation needed something to rally behind it could be a win playing football and I hope it comes soon for Iraq.
Midfielder
Guest
Sometimes think Mooy is better sitting a little deeper
Midfielder
Guest
Agree
Midfielder
Guest
G A win would be brilliant.
Midfielder
Guest
Massive result that UAI away win
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
It won't be boring, that is assured.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Correct. We will pay for three however if only get one it leaves us in the driver's seat.
Griffo
Roar Guru
From what I've read it sounds like Iraq played a great defensive game and caused a little trouble at the other end. In the past we would lament our inability to break down tight defences and score (Italy in Germany 2006 probably worse example from a great, tactically and defensively astute side) but we got the job done tonight, even if we were somewhat scrappy at times. How good then that we didn't have to rely on Cahill to bring out a goal to save us? Good to see that we can rely on at least a few players to come up with the goals on the occasion, and it could just as well be a different cast the next time. This has been almost the norm for us since the Asian Cup. Although hard to see Mooy and Rogić not being first on the team sheet at the moment. Different test against UAE away, but how much different will we play away? Cannot see us playing extreme defensive counter attack like Iraq seemed to play tonight. UAE won't be easy and, disallowed goal for Japan for the draw aside, already a crunch game to take an early lead in the group in UAE on Wednesday morning. At this stage a draw would be nice there.
AZ_RBB
Guest
It was a testing first hour but once that first goal went in we cruised. We looked much more comfortable and in control after that period. Much respect to Iraq. They gave us a good fight and will be a tough opponent in Tehran in a few months time.
SM
Guest
Real possibility that the UAE could have six points from the opening two matches against what is theoretically the two toughest teams in the group. Throw in the Saudis, the Thais who have troubled us on occasion, and still having to play a difficult Iraq away from home. This is a tough long road ahead.
Marc
Guest
Thanks Vas :)
Griffo
Roar Guru
My mistake fellas, it nearly touched the back of the net :lol: Doesn't sound like the Middle East refs had a good game in the western Pacific tonight...