Australia have defeated Oman 4-0 in the second pool match of their Asian Cup campaign at Stadium Australia on Tuesday night, booking their place in the quarter-finals.
In a stellar first half for the Socceroos, three goals were scored in emphatic fashion by Mat McKay, Robbie Kruse and Mark Milligan. Tomi Juric took his chance coming off the bench in a lower tempo second half where Australia maintained their dominance on and off the ball.
Mat Ryan again proved that he is number one with the goalkeeping gloves on for Australia with a fantastic leap to his left from an opportunistic yet on-target Omani drive in the opening minutes.
Australia controlled possession (72%) and maintained a high tempo across the pitch in the first half. Massimo Luongo was again dynamic with some dainty touches in midfield and a solid physical presence.
The Socceroos pressured through the air and on the ground with Tim Cahill heading two chances over the crossbar in the opening 20 minutes.
The first breakthrough came from a 27th minute corner when a Luongo cross was headed low at goal by Trent Sainsbury and flicked into the net by a watchful Matt McKay from 2 yards out.
Australia compounded the pressure 3 minutes later, when an intuitive Luongo midfield flick-on set up Robbie Kruse 1-on-1. Kruse nailed the finish and scores were ironically similar to the scoreline that Australia faced when they went behind in the World Cup Qualifier against Oman last year.
It would not remain that way. A Mark Milligan volley from a luscious cross was not counted, as a penalty was awarded to Tim Cahill, who was pulled down in the box. Milligan set things right, converting the penalty and notching the goal he would have had if play had been allowed to go on.
Massimo Luongo and Tim Cahill were substitued early in the second half for Mark Bresciano and Tomi Juric. This symbolised the confidence of coach Ange Postecoglou in Australia’s position on and off the field.
Matthew Leckie flicked the switch in the 70th minute with a silky cross off the outside of his right boot to the waiting foot of a sliding Tomi Juric. Australia went four up and were beginning to look like tournament favourites much to the joy of the vocal 50,000 plus fans.
Oman offered little in the first half and struggled to keep possession with their counter-attacking play in the second. This was due to a consistent pressure on the ball by the home side that stifled opportunities and dampened morale.
Australia played so well that it was hard to pick best on field, but young goalscorer Robbie Kruse would be on many lists.
“We could have scored 7 8 in that game we created so many chances. That is the best the national team has played for as long as I can remember,” commented a jubilant Kruse after the match.
“We have such great depth… that will be tested against Korea.”
Australia play Korea back at Stadium Australia on Saturday night. With a couple of players stung with yellow cards, coach Postecoglou will have some decisions to make ahead of the top of the group clash.
Image Source: News Corp Australia
