AUS vs. Bahrain
I have already written an extensive post on my experience at the Australia vs. Uzbekistan game, which can be found here, so this will be more of a summary/pictures. Enjoy.
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Last night Heat, Vasya and myself trekked from North Ryde to Olympic Park for the FIFA World Cup Qualifier Australia vs. Bahrain soccer match. Much of the significance had been lost due to Australia already booking its ticket to South Africa with a draw against Qatar the previous week, but it was still an enjoyable game with nearly 40,000 Aussies braving the frigid weather (it was around 50ºF, plus wind). The first half was relatively slow and nearly boring, but, as we saw in the AUSvsUzbekistan game, the ‘roos really brought it in the second half, closing Bahrain out 2-0 amongst a multitude of “Aussie Aussie Aussie/Oi Oi Oi!” chants. Below are pictures from the night, a video of both goals and a news article.
Vasya and I
Verbeek content with weakened Socceroos
From ABC.net.au
Slideshow: Photo 2 of 2
Culina does an overhead kick (Getty Images: Matt King)
Australian coach Pim Verbeek says he was happy the way his different-looking side worked its way to a 2-0 World Cup qualifier win over Bahrain in Sydney last night.
A crowd of just under 40,000 welcomed the Socceroos home for their first game since qualifying for next year’s finals in South Africa.
There were seven changes to the strong starting team that secured a World Cup spot with a goalless draw in Doha.
In the end, second half goals from Mile Sterjovski and David Carney gave Australia the win after a frustrating opening 40 minutes.
Verbeek says it was not easy for his team to play to its full potential.
“If you see the amount of new players we had to bring in,” he said.
“If you consider the long trip back from Qatar, the jet-lag. We know we were qualified already so you still have to get mentally back in the right shape to perform.”
“Then I can only say the only thing we didn’t do was score more goals.”
Verbeek said he was still planning on fielding a strong side for the final qualifier against Japan in Melbourne.
The coach said he was keen to get senior players like Tim Cahill back in the side next weekend.
“Josh Kennedy will be ready. Timmy was too risky today but will be ready next week,” he said.
“That’s also the reason why I saved Grella. I didn’t want him to pick up a yellow card because I need him next week.”
“So if you look for the players who are still available I think we can make a very strong team next week.”
One player sure to be there will be goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who extended his run of international games without conceding a goal last night as he assumed the captaincy for the suspended Lucas Neill.
The Fulham custodian has gone nine games without conceding a goal for the Socceroos and is closing in on Italy’s Dino Zoff’s international record of more than 12 clean sheets.
But Schwarzer says he wasn’t aware that he was close to a world record.
“I knew obviously we broke the Australian record. And as far as we’re concerned we want to continue that run regardless of whether that’s going to beat the world record,” he said.
“It’s a sense of amazing self-pride amongst all the boys that we can go into crucial games, World Cup qualifiers and not concede goals. That’s an unbelievable foundation to have.”
