Kewell The Difference For Roos

Australia has extended its lead atop Group 1 in the World Cup qualifiers, thanks to a Harry Kewell goal, which saw the Socceroos defeat Iraq 1-0 in Brisbane on Sunday.

Kewell struck just moments after half-time when he headed an inswinging Brett Emerton cross past Iraq keeper Noor Sabri, for what turned out to be the winner.

Australia though rode their luck on their way to the three points with goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer having plenty to do.

Early in the game, Iraq almost stunned the Suncorp Stadium crowd when the Socceroos’ defence failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to Emad Mohammed whose quick strike cannoned into the crossbar.

Australia did soon settle into the game and a neat passing move almost resulted in Mark Bresciano scoring for the hosts but Sabri saved the Palermo midfielder’s shot.

After 27 minutes, Emad again had a chance to put Iraq ahead in the first-half when he found space in the box but his shot was thwarted by Schwarzer’s legs.

Iraq captain Younis Mahmoud was then the next player to be guilty of missing a good opportunity, when he put a free header wide of the goals.

Iraq’s lack of composure in front of goal would cost them.

Just two minutes into the second-half, Kewell, who had caused the Iraqis some aerial trouble in the first-half, scored with his head to send the sold out Suncorp Stadium into raptures.

Kewell was time and time again at the centre of Australia’s attacking moves as he seemed the most creative outlet for the Socceroos, while forward partner Scott McDonald was disappointing as he proved ineffective.

When Kewell was substituted with quarter of an hour to go, Iraq began to dictate terms and on 82 minutes Iraq forward Hawar Mohammed had a great chance to level the match but Schwarzer was again too good.

Australia held on until the final whistle to move to seven points in the group, while Qatar and China drew in the other match, leaving the Socceroos three points clear of Qatar with the Chinese a further point behind and Asian Cup winners Iraq languishing at the bottom of the table with just one point.

The Socceroos travel to Dubai to play Iraq this Saturday with talk big Karlsruhe forward Josh Kennedy may come into the side. The Iraqi defence clearly struggled with Kewell’s aerial presence, so the inclusion of the 192 centimetre Kennedy could be a shrewd move.

Australia coach Pim Verbeek has also spoken of the need to improve his defence after a less-than-impressive display in Brisbane. As Kewell admitted at Suncorp “again we rode our luck”.

Nonetheless, Australia do have the chance to secure their passage into the next phase of the World Cup qualifiers with three points in Dubai.

Australia 1 (Kewell 47)
Iraq 0
Suncorp Stadium; 48678