Socceroos Continue Clean Sheets
The Socceroos returned to home soil to take on Bahrain after securing a spot in the FIFA World Cup finals last weekend. In front of a crowd of around 40 000 at the Sydney Olympic stadium it was once again an ordinary performance from the Australians in the first half.
The visiting Bahrain team perhaps had the better of the first half however Scott McDonald had the best chance of the first half. He was in the clear with only the goalie to beat but he blasted the shot over the goal.
The Socceroos picked up the pace in the second half and looked the better team. Mile Sterjovski scored for the home team in the 55th minute as the Bahrain team failed to clear the ball as it came across from the left. He shot from close range to give the Socceroos a 1-0 lead.
Bahrain had a few more chances in the second half but perhaps overplayed the ball and passed one to many times instead of shooting on goal.
With the game now flowing the Socceroos were creating more chances. McDonald wasted another opportunity as he held the ball for too long when he was at the top of the box with Harry Kewell unmarked to his left. Kewell had so much space and would have been a good chance to score.
Kewell when he got the ball a short time later on the left was able to beat a defender before getting onto his left foot but the Australian no. 10 blasted his shot high and wide.
In the game on the weekend Australia saw Tim Cahill hit the post with an acrobatic bicycle kick. In a repeat of that effort Jason Culina also hit the post but this time David Carney was able to follow up the shot and tap home for Australia’s second goal. This came in the 88th minute.
Once again Australia did not dazzle the fans but they kept a clean sheet for the seventh straight game in the qualifying phase. The first half effort was ordinary but a better display in the second half would leave fans happy. I am not sure how the coach would rate the game but it is another win for the Aussies.
Bring on Japan. The Socceroos take on the Japanese team in Melbourne on 17 June.
Did you watch the game? Leave your comments below.
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