2 posts tagged “mark schwarzer”

by Cindy Tran

AUSTRALIA are a step closer to the 2010 World Cup, after Pim Verbeek's 4-2-3-1 formation achieved a 3-1 victory over Qatar at Al Sadd Stadium.

The Blackburn Rovers' midfielder, Brett Emerton, striked a goal at 17th minute, leaving Australia ahead of the match. Emerton arrived at the far post, sealing a goal after Mark Bresciano's low cross from the left but was missed by Harry Kewell.

An equaliser almost took part by Sebastian Quintana in the 38th minute.

Emerton kicked in his second goal at 55th minute after Schwarzer's long punt upfield was flicked on by Kewell to Brett Holman. Holman kicked a spectacular pass to Emerton. Emerton took one touch to keep the ball under control before slotting it past Qataris's keeper.

Kewell scored the third goal at 75th minute, after Holman's cross from the left byline was missed by the home defence but Kewell managed to take control of the ball and kicked it past the keeper.

Magid Mohamad raced into the box to attempt a shot but was blocked by Schwazer. Ibrahim managed to kick in a goal at 89th minute.

Schwarzer will miss out on Sunday's final qualifying match against China after being yellow carded in the late stages of the win over Qatar for removing some rubbish off the pitch. It was his second warning of the game and was automatically triggered a one-game ban.

"That was a strange one. I'd asked the referee if I could remove a plastic bag from the field. He allowed me to do so and then when I came back and put the ball on the spot, he decided to give me a yellow card. I don't know, as I said, a strange one. I'm really disappointed because I really wanted to play against China on Sunday." *

The keeper will have to wait until qualifying resumes later this year for his next competitive international and he's far from happy.

Australia are up against China this Sunday for the final qualifying match.

Cindy Tran ©

* Quote from Schwarzer Gutted Over Ban

* Pictures from Getty Images

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