Australia headed to Oman looking to keep their perfect start to qualifying intact. It was a mission that failed as Oman stunned the Socceroos winning 1-0 after a 19th minute goal.
It was Australia who controlled the opening stages but they couldn't do anything with it and Oman made them pay. The Socceroos defense opened up allowing Amer Hadid to send a ball for Imad Al-Hosni, slotting home in the 19th minute.
That goal gave Oman new confidence as the Australian defense seemed to crumble, just minutes later Hussain Al-Hadhri could have made it two from a good free-kick only to be denied by Schwarzer, as Oman enjoyed a good period of dominance.
Australia wrestled control back around the half hour mark, earning a number of set pieces, but headers from Luke Wilkshire and Mile Jedinak still couldn't find the target as the Socceroos kept knocking at the door but too often snatched at the chance.
It was clumsy tackles that were giving away opportunities to Oman too often, with Wilkshire a prime suspect, and the defense struggled to defend them, keeper Mark Schwarzer appearing visibly frustrated with his defense on more than one occassion.
Oman heading to the break 1-0 up and it was a well earned lead, anything less than a win would see their World Cup hopes ended.
Oman came out to the second half determined to prevent Australia from scoring, as they looke to park the bus, sticking all eleven men behind the ball any time the Socceroos had possession, forcing Australia to really attack.
Australia weren't daunted and went on the attack, looking dangerous up the right wing, but too often their crosses went straight to Omani defenders. Oman continued to operate well on the counter.
Australia too often opened up defensively allowing Oman chances and then couldn't convert on attack, unable to get a boot in to score, most notably in the 69th minute as neither Wilkshire nor Brett Holman was able to get a tap-in after a good ball.
Despite Australia's dominance Oman's defense was solid and employed expected time-wasting tactics as they managed to hold Australia out managing a famous 1-0 victory.
Comments