Kewell headers down Iraq

by Cindy Tran

SOCCEROOS skipper, Harry Kewell has added another three precious points for Australia tonight against the rivalry clash, defeating Iraq 1-0 in the World Cup qualifying match.

Brett Emerton made an incredible cross which escorted Kewell's home header into the Iraqi's net at 47th minute.

Iraq opened up more superior and had the best chances in the first half, but failed all three of the golden opportunties to score and was silencing almost 50, 000 fans at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

The Socceroos now have seven points in their Asian Group A and if another win against Iraq in Dubai next week, Australia will definitely seal a top two spot and succession to the final round of qualifying.

Marco Bresciano and Kewell came close to scoring in the first 20 minutes but was knocked away by Noor Sabri Abbas in the Iraqi goal. Kewell's chance came back when David Carney delivered a precise cross but was headed out to safety by Abbas again.

Luke Wilkshire's exceptional pass to Kewell could have sealed the game on 65 minutes, but the skipper made a wide kick.

Pim Verbeek believes that the Socceroos were lucky enough to escape with a 1-0 win over Iraq. Verbeek mentioned afterwards that he had breathed a sigh of relief.

"Four games and no goals against, but today it was not what we deserved. I think everybody understands that I am very happy with the three points, but we started quite nervous. I am happy with the three points, but not the performance," Verbeek said. *

Mark Schwarzer made several crucial saves for Australia. "I speak about organisational mistakes, we have to work on that. I think Mark, that's why he's the goalkeeper, I said thanks to him and he said 'yeah, but that's my job', He's a good professional but he did a great job, he was always there. Great performance from Mark again," he said. * 

Kewell made his department for Bruce Djite in the last 15 minutes which left Australia in a defensive mode. Hawar Mulla Mohammad came close with an equaliser, but Schwarzer did a tremendous job with an outstanding save.

Cindy Tran ©

* Quotes from Verbeek: We Rode Our Luck
June 1st 2008, 21:03

* Pictures from Getty Images