The return of goal-poaching midfielder Tim Cahill and the likely appearance of veteran defender Craig Moore make Australia favorites to beat Qatar in Asian World Cup qualifying today.
Everton’s Cahill, who has 13 goals from 28 caps and has scored twice since returning to club soccer in September, is lining up for his first international in eight months after suffering a broken foot.
“I feel good. I’m training well and working hard,” Cahill said. “People have seen the impact that I’ve made on the pitch so that’s the main thing. Hopefully I can make that same impact at international level.”
Cahill’s return to the side — which is missing Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell — should bolster Australia’s attacking edge.
The 34th-ranked Australians trail 78th-rated Qatar by one point in Group 1, but have played one game less. They beat Qatar 3-0 at home and 3-1 in Doha this year in an earlier qualifying series.
The Socceroos are also likely to welcome back the 61-capped Moore, who has broken his short-lived international retirement to resurrect his central defending partnership with West Ham’s Lucas Neill.
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