quentinSocceroos beat China in Asian Cup lead up
March 26th 2007 01:03
The Socceroos have signaled they will be a force to be reckoned with at this year’s Asian Cup finals after an impressive 2-0 friendly win over China.
Despite fielding a depleted side in Guangzhou, Australia outclassed the host in the first half with Brett Holman grabbing an eighth-minute opener before Marco Bresciano added a classy second in the 28th minute.
China, who were runner up to Japan at the last Asian Cup finals in 2004, were much improved in the second half but failed to cut the deficit as Australia recorded a morale boosting victory.
It was the Soccreoos first win in three matches and their last game on foreign soil before the finals begin in July. Australia will take on Iraq, Oman and co-host Tahiland in group-A.
Shane Stefanutto and Tal Valeri were handed their senior debuts but it was Holman who stole the show, claiming his first international goal.
The NEC Nijmegen forward, deployed just behind lone striker Mark Viduka, impressed throughout the first half, linking superbly with Bresciano and Viduka.
Holman fashioned Australia’s first chance as early as the second minute, playing the ball into Viduka and the Australian Cap turned two defenders before shooting straight at the goalkeeper.
Viduka, playing in his first inter since last years world cup then stung the hands of Li Leilei again in he sixth minute following another skillful turn.
China then earned a free kick deep in the Australian half but the Socceroos defence cleared and broke down the left to open the scoring. Bresciano outpaced covering Chinese defenders to make his way into the box before squaring for the unmarked Holman to side-foot home.
Holman led another Australian break in the 20th minute, supported by Bresciano, and although it came to nothing, Bresciano gave the Socceroos a two-goal cushion eight minutes later.
China cleared across as far as Bresciano on the edge of the box and the Palermo forward had the presence of mind to lift the ball over the lunging Chinese defender before holding off another challenge to side-foot the ball past Lei Leilei.
The Australian defence frustrated china, causing them to resort to hopeful long balls from midfield, and they finally managed their first shot in the 35th minute, Shao Jiyi turning Lucas Neil, only to fire well wide form 25 meters.
Holman was then denied a golden opportunity to score a second by the referees decision. A slick passing move from Australia opened up China’s defence and it was Viduka who was in an offside position, not Holman who timed his run to perfection.
China coach Zhu Guanghu attempted to freshen things up with the introduction of promising Manchester United forward Dong Fangzhuo, who showed his intent with a 30 meter effort which was easy for Schwarzer.
China altered their game and went close immediately after the restart, Fangzhuo skipping past left back Stefanutto but Li jinyu was unable to direct the cross goalwards.
Jiayi then fired wide after bursting past Neill in the right channel before captain Zheng Zhi, currently on loan at Charlton Athletic from Shandong Luneng, pulled the ball back for second-half sub Zhao Junzhe, but Schwarzer did well to palm the shot wide.
Fangzhuo had an effort stopped late as China passed Australia in the shot count with Socceroos coach Graham Arnold making a string of substitutions.
Despite fielding a depleted side in Guangzhou, Australia outclassed the host in the first half with Brett Holman grabbing an eighth-minute opener before Marco Bresciano added a classy second in the 28th minute.
China, who were runner up to Japan at the last Asian Cup finals in 2004, were much improved in the second half but failed to cut the deficit as Australia recorded a morale boosting victory.
It was the Soccreoos first win in three matches and their last game on foreign soil before the finals begin in July. Australia will take on Iraq, Oman and co-host Tahiland in group-A.
Shane Stefanutto and Tal Valeri were handed their senior debuts but it was Holman who stole the show, claiming his first international goal.
The NEC Nijmegen forward, deployed just behind lone striker Mark Viduka, impressed throughout the first half, linking superbly with Bresciano and Viduka.
Holman fashioned Australia’s first chance as early as the second minute, playing the ball into Viduka and the Australian Cap turned two defenders before shooting straight at the goalkeeper.
Viduka, playing in his first inter since last years world cup then stung the hands of Li Leilei again in he sixth minute following another skillful turn.
China then earned a free kick deep in the Australian half but the Socceroos defence cleared and broke down the left to open the scoring. Bresciano outpaced covering Chinese defenders to make his way into the box before squaring for the unmarked Holman to side-foot home.
Holman led another Australian break in the 20th minute, supported by Bresciano, and although it came to nothing, Bresciano gave the Socceroos a two-goal cushion eight minutes later.
China cleared across as far as Bresciano on the edge of the box and the Palermo forward had the presence of mind to lift the ball over the lunging Chinese defender before holding off another challenge to side-foot the ball past Lei Leilei.
The Australian defence frustrated china, causing them to resort to hopeful long balls from midfield, and they finally managed their first shot in the 35th minute, Shao Jiyi turning Lucas Neil, only to fire well wide form 25 meters.
Holman was then denied a golden opportunity to score a second by the referees decision. A slick passing move from Australia opened up China’s defence and it was Viduka who was in an offside position, not Holman who timed his run to perfection.
China coach Zhu Guanghu attempted to freshen things up with the introduction of promising Manchester United forward Dong Fangzhuo, who showed his intent with a 30 meter effort which was easy for Schwarzer.
China altered their game and went close immediately after the restart, Fangzhuo skipping past left back Stefanutto but Li jinyu was unable to direct the cross goalwards.
Jiayi then fired wide after bursting past Neill in the right channel before captain Zheng Zhi, currently on loan at Charlton Athletic from Shandong Luneng, pulled the ball back for second-half sub Zhao Junzhe, but Schwarzer did well to palm the shot wide.
Fangzhuo had an effort stopped late as China passed Australia in the shot count with Socceroos coach Graham Arnold making a string of substitutions.
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