Harry Kewell scored another of his big-match goals to unlock Iraq and edge Australia closer to the final phase of World Cup qualifying yesterday with a 1-0 win.
Kewell, 29, whose goal against Croatia lifted Australia into the second round of the 2006 World Cup finals, grabbed the winner two minutes into the second half after the home side had ridden their luck in the opening spell.
“I think we rode our luck. Iraq created quite a few chances today and a couple of balls went their way, but again we had a great keeper [Mark Schwarzer] who stopped them,” Kewell said.
Skipper Kewell eased Australia’s anxieties with a well-taken header, out-jumping his marker Abdul Amir Haidar to nod home Brett Emerton’s cross from the right.
It was the 10th goal in 32 international appearances for Kewell, who is emerging from a couple of injury-blighted seasons.
Kewell was taken off with 13 minutes left to rapturous applause from the home crowd.
LAST-DITCH SAVES
Iraq came close to grabbing a draw in the final 10 minutes, with Ali Hussein Rehema and Mulla Mohammed Hawar denied by last-ditch saves from Schwarzer.
“Today was not what we deserved. I am very happy with the three points, but we gave too many chances away. We were lucky in that situation, so overall I am sure we can play much better,” Australia coach Pim Verbeek said.
Asian champions Iraq did not even know they would be playing until FIFA reversed a decision on Thursday to suspend them from competition over political interference from their government.
“Of course, it affected our players a lot, but we always play under pressure and we are the only football team in the world that plays outside of its country,” Iraq coach Adnan Hamad said.
Australia have seven points from their three qualifiers and have not conceded a goal, while Iraq have just one point. Verbeek believes 10 points will be enough to advance to final qualifying.
Yesterday’s defeat has all but killed off Iraq’s chances of reaching the final phase of qualifying with three games left in the group.
“My team tried to win so we could get a second chance in the World Cup qualifiers, but there’s still a chance for the Iraqi team and I have faith in my team,” Hamad said.
The victory has put Australia in the box seat to advance when they play their return World Cup qualifier against Iraq in Dubai next weekend.
HEAT OF BATTLE
“It’s going to be great next week. It’s going to be difficult with the heat, but we are well prepared, we know what we’re going to deal with because we’ve been in Asia so we are going to be well equipped,” Kewell said.
Iraq had three outstanding chances in the first half and Australia were fortunate not to concede a goal for the first time in three qualifying games.
MISSED CHANCES
Emad Mohammed rattled the bar in the fifth minute after goalkeeper Schwarzer had punched clear a corner. Emad later found himself unmarked in the box after sloppy Australian marking, but his shot was deflected for a corner by Schwarzer’s leg in the 26th minute. And skipper Younis Mahmoud had a free header in the six-yard box, the chance going wide of Schwarzer’s right post.
Kewell came in for special attention from the Iraqi defense and he was fouled three times, two of the offenses leading to yellow cards for defenders Rehema and Haidar.
The Iraqis, like they did in their 3-1 win at last year’s Asian Cup, frustrated the Australians with their stoppages during play and several times Socceroo players lost their cool, remonstrating with referee Ravshan Irmatov.
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