Australia vs Palestine |
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|---|---|---|
2019 Asian Cup |
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| Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain | ||
Australia |
Palestine |
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3 |
SCORE | 0 |
The Socceroos have gone some of the way to atoning for Sunday’s shock loss to Jordan with a 3-0 victory over Palestine at the 2019 Asian Cup.
» Click here for the full match report
Final score
Australia 3
Palestine 0
The Socceroos are out to get their Asian Cup defence back on track when they meet Palestine in their second tournament match. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 10pm AEDT.
Australia suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Jordan in their Asian Cup opening match. It was a bitter blow to the Socceroos’ ambitions of keeping the trophy they won in 2015.
Graham Arnold’s men dominated possession against Jordan but started slowly and sloppily, and couldn’t break down a determined Jordanian defence that grew in confidence as the game wore on.
The Chivalrous played their rope-a-dope strategy perfectly and caught the green and gold napping at a corner to score.
The result was a wake-up call for the Socceroos and a reminder that Asian opposition won’t be easy to beat.
It won’t get any easier on Friday either with several injury concerns to contend with – Josh Risdon and Andrew Nabbout will likely miss the game, with Tom Rogic hampered by a broken bone in his hand.
Unlike Jordan, Australia and Palestine do not share a history on the football field. The two national teams have never met properly in an international match before.
The Lions of Canaan, ranked 99th in the world by FIFA, started their Asian Cup with a battling 0-0 draw with Syria. Considering they played 22 minutes with only 10 men, after Mohammed Saleh was sent off, it was some effort.
Palestine had never collected a point in an international tournament before, so history was made.
The Fedayeen will be expected to ‘do a Jordan’ against the Socceroos and park the bus. They did the same against Syria and it paid dividends.
It will be down to Arnold’s charges to break down the Palestine defence with speed, movement and class.
Jamie Maclaren is expected to start up front again, though Chris Ikonomidis may usurp Robbie Kruse’s place on the left wing.
Rhyan Grant will replace Risdon at right fullback, while Jackson Irvine is pushing for a starting spot in central midfield.
Prediction
The Socceroos simply have to win, to not only save face but to stay alive in the Asian Cup. They are under the pump and will be extremely motivated to get the win they need.
Australia to win 3-0.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 10pm AEDT.
Where: Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
When: 10pm AEDT
TV: Fox Sports
Betting: Australia $1.20, Draw $4, Palestine $11
John Davidson
Roar Guru
MATCH REPORT The Socceroos are still alive and kicking in the 2019 Asian Cup after a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Palestine in the UAE. Australia has moved to second spot in Group B, behind leaders Jordan, and in position to advance to the knockout stages after defeating Palestine. Pressure was on the Socceroos after their lackluster shock 1-0 loss to Jordan in the tournament opener on Sunday. Graham Arnold made three changes for this match, one enforced by injury, but they had the desired effect. Chris Ikonomidis, in for Robbie Kruse on the left, was dynamic and lively and set up Awer Mabil’s goal. Jackson Irvine, replacing Massimo Luongo in central midfield, was impressive while Rhyan Grant took over from Josh Risdon at right back. Jamie Maclaren got the ball rolling for the green and gold in the 18th minute. His delightful header, from a beautiful cross from Tom Rogic, put the Socceroos 1-0 ahead and was his first goal for his country. Two minutes later Ikonomidis delivered a pinpoint cross for Mabil. The winger tapped the ball home and Australia was in control with a two-goal buffer. In the second half, just one minute from full-time, Apostolos Giannou got his name on the scoresheet with the Socceroos’ third and final goal. The striker made a great run and headed home from a short corner to put the icing on the cake. The victory was just desserts for the Socceroos who started the match with much more intent and focus than against Jordan. They enjoyed 68% possession, but were much more direct with the ball and had 16 attempts, six of which were on target, compared to just three from Palestine. Arnold does now have a selection dilemma on his hands though with Trent Sainsbury picking up his second yellow card of the Asian Cup. It means the defender will now miss the important final fixture against Syria. Arnold will have to decide to replace Sainsbury with Matt Jurman, or upset the balance of his team and move skipper Mark Milligan back into defence, for the third and vital Group B game.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME The Socceroos have got their Asian Cup defence back on track with a much-needed 3-0 victory. Australia 3 Palestine 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’93 Decision now will be for Arnold, whethe to replace Sainsbury with Matt Jurman, or move Milligan back and bring in Luongo for the Syria game. Australia 3 Palestine 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’91 That wraps up the game for the Socceroos. Exactly what Graham Arnold wanted. Australia 3 Palestine 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’89 It’s Giannou with the header, after a cross from the left. Lovely header by the sub. Australia 3 Palestine 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’89 Socceroos have another goal! Australia 3 Palestine 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’87 Socceroos have had 68% possession to Palestine’s 32%. Australia 2 Palestine 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’87 Mabil off and Kruse on. Australia 2 Palestine 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’85 Ikonomidis tries a shot but its blocked. Now Mabil on the right, he tries a shot but its covered by the Palestinian keeper. Australia 2 Palestine 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’83 Sainsbury with a yellow card. Means he will miss the Syria game, which is not good…. Socceroos need to win that game. Australia 2 Palestine 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’81 Maclaren off and Giannou on. Australia 2 Palestine 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'80 Lovely lead up play by Grant and Behich and Mabil, but one pass too many by Irvine and the ball is given away. Disappointing. Australia 2 Palestine 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’78 Behich tries a shot across the face of the goal but it’s hacked clear. Australia 2 Palestine 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’77 Wadi is off and Salem is on. Australia 2 Palestine 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’77 Looks like Wadi has had enough. He’s down with cramp. And about to come off. Australia 2 Palestine 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’75 Rogic off and Luongo on. The Socceroos first sub of the game. Australia 2 Palestine 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’73 Better from Palestine as one of their players gets some treatment from the physio. Australia 2 Palestine 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’71 Albadawi off and Rashid on for Palestine. Australia 2 Palestine 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’69 Australia almost fashion a chance in the Palestinian box, but Mabil intercepts the pass unnecessairly and the move breaks down. Australia 2 Palestine 0
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’67 Some poor passes from Palestine. Simple stuff not going right for them. Australia 2 Palestine 0