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Australia vs Oman Asian Cup Group A game in Sydney

WATCH the sickening challenge which could have ended Tim Cahill’s career in Australia’s sensational Asian Cup performance against Oman.

Jai BednallJai Bednall
@jaibednall
5 min read
January 13, 2015 - 6:23PM
Australia's Tim Cahill is fouled during the Socceroos v Oman Asian Cup game at ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park. pic Mark Evans
Australia's Tim Cahill is fouled during the Socceroos v Oman Asian Cup game at ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park. pic Mark Evans

FOLLOW the live coverage of Australia’s Asian Cup match against Oman.

There’s a possibility of rain in Sydney tonight, with a temperature around 23C.

The game starts at 8pm AEDT. Continue the conversation on Twitter @jaibednall

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Scroll to the bottom of the page for blow-by-blow coverage.

9.50pm — RECKLESS CHALLENGE ONLY LOWPOINT

Tim Cahill was lucky to escape injury in this awful challenge.
Tim Cahill was lucky to escape injury in this awful challenge.

AUSTRALIA completed a near perfect 4-0 win against Oman on Tuesday night to let its Asian rivals know it means business.

Benefiting from a balanced attack for the second game in a row, the Socceroos head into Saturday’s game against Korea needing only a draw to top group A.

The only lowpoint was an ugly first half challenge on Tim Cahill from Oman’s Ahmed Mubarak.

Mubarak was extremely lucky not to be sent off after diving into Cahill with his studs pointing upwards.

“If Timmy doesn’t jump, he breaks his legs,” Bosnich said.

But there was so much to like about another first-class attacking performance from Ange Postecoglou’s men.

After scoring just 12 goals in Postecoglou’s first 12 games in charge, the Socceroos now have eight in two games in the Asian Cup.

There have been eight different goal scorers — as Matt McKay, Robbie Kruse, Mark Milligan and Tomi Juric all found the back of the net against Oman.

“And we’re scoring from everywhere,” Bosnich said.

Kruse was named man of the match and was thrilled with his team’s effort.

“We could have scored seven or eight in that game, we created so many chances,” Kruse said.

“That’s the best I can remember the national team playing for so long ... they barely had the ball.”

Continue scrolling to see all the best highlights, photographs and social posts from the game.

Australia's Robbie Kruse and Mathew Leckie salute the crowd.
Australia's Robbie Kruse and Mathew Leckie salute the crowd.

9.30pm — JURIC MAKES IT FOUR

MATHEW Leckie has unleashed another world-class inside-out cross to set up Tomi Juric for the Socceroos’ fourth goal.

For the second game in a row Leckie hit a perfect cross from the left flank with the outside of his right boot — and this time Juric was on hand to hammer it home.

The 70th minute strike has Australia on track for its most convincing win since a 4-0 result against Jordan in a World Cup qualifier in June 2013.

Leckie was substituted for Tommy Oar soon after.

Tomi Juric and Mathew Leckie combined for Australia’s fourth.
Tomi Juric and Mathew Leckie combined for Australia’s fourth.

9.10pm — ANGE MAKES EARLY SUBS

Marc Bresciano is on the park.
Marc Bresciano is on the park.

ANGE Postecoglou has made a pair of substitutions early in the second half.

Tomi Juric and Marc Bresciano have come on for Tim Cahill and Massimo Luongo in the 50th minute.

Up 3-0, it’s ideal to rest the two key members of the side, who have been instrumental in both of Australia’s games.

Juric and Bresciano both made appearances off the bench in the Socceroos’ first game against Kuwait.

Bresciano has taken the captain’s armband from Cahill.

8.50pm — MILLIGAN MAKES IT 3-0 FROM THE SPOT

MARK Milligan had to put the ball in the back of the net twice to boost the Socceroos’ lead to 3-0 just before half-time.

The Melbourne Victory midfielder expertly volleyed home a cross but had the goal waved off because the referee awarded Tim Cahill a penalty in the lead-up.

Cahill was hooked around the neck by his opponent while attempting to head the ball and was rightly rewarded.

Milligan took the penalty and made no mistake to cap a commanding first half from the home side.

The goals continue to flow after a 4-1 win against Kuwait last week as the Ange Postecoglou era continues to gain steam.

“It’s the most complete performance I’ve seen from any side so far in the Asian Cup,” commentator Mark Bosnich said.

Mark Milligan and Mathew Leckie celebrate.
Mark Milligan and Mathew Leckie celebrate.
No disputing the referee’s call.
No disputing the referee’s call.

8.35pm — KRUSE DOUBLES THE ADVANTAGE

AUSTRALIA has one foot in the knockout stage of the Asian Cup after going ahead 2-0 in tonight’s game against Oman.

Robbie Kruse was found brilliantly by Massimo Luongo and slid his shot under Oman goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.

The 30th minute strike came after a quick free kick in the back half, which was followed by a well worked one-two between Kruse and Luongo.

Robbie Kruse has scored his fourth international goal.
Robbie Kruse has scored his fourth international goal.

8.30pm — ANGE LOOKING LIKE A GENIUS

Matt McKay is swamped by teammates.
Matt McKay is swamped by teammates.

ANGE Postecoglou’s decision to drop goal scorer James Troisi was already being questioned before the start of tonight’s game against Oman.

But Matt McKay’s 27th minute opener has the Socceroos coach looking like a genius.

A Socceroos corner found Trent Sainsbury in metres of space inside the box. He headed the ball down towards goal where McKay met it and smashed it into the roof of the net.

It’s McKay’s second goal in 51 appearances for the national team.

8.05pm — RYAN PREVENTS EARLY BLUSHES

Mat Ryan has continued his good form from the Kuwait game.
Mat Ryan has continued his good form from the Kuwait game.

THE Socceroos have very nearly fallen behind from another set piece goal in tonight’s game against Oman.

Oman earnt an early corner when Australian right back Ivan Franjic lost his man. After the initial corner was cleared Abdul Al Mukhaini unleashed a fearsome long range dive at the top corner of Mat Ryan’s net.

But Socceroos goalkeeper was up to the challenge, diving high to his left and palming the ball away from his goal with his right hand.

Outside of that chance, the Socceroos have done the bulk of the attacking in the opening quarter of an hour.

Meantime, everyone is talking about Oman’s Raed Ibrahim’s hair style.

7.50pm — KOREA HOLD ON FOR ANOTHER 1-0 WIN

Park Joo Ho of Korea Republic and Ali Almaqseed of Kuwait contest possession during their 2015 Asian Cup match in Canberra.
Park Joo Ho of Korea Republic and Ali Almaqseed of Kuwait contest possession during their 2015 Asian Cup match in Canberra.

THE Socceroos can secure top position in Group A with a win tonight and a draw on Saturday night against Korea because of their superior goal difference.

Korea just finished a 1-0 win against Kuwait, taking them to six points from their two games.

But their goal difference (+2) is inferior to Australia’s (+3), giving the home nation the edge if they end up tied on seven points at the end of the group stage.

7.30pm — POSTECOGLOU’S BIG OPPORTUNITY

Tim Cahill has been responsible for nine of the 16 goals scored during the Postecoglou era.
Tim Cahill has been responsible for nine of the 16 goals scored during the Postecoglou era.

AUSTRALIA has a great chance to achieve something it is yet to do since Ange Postecoglou took over as coach in late 2013 — win back to back games.

The Socceroos have a record of three wins, two draws and eight defeats from 13 games under Postecoglou, including a string of five consecutive losses from June to September last year.

But they’re a strong $1.40 favourite to win tonight. The draw is $4.45 and Oman a longshot for victory at $9.

7pm — ANGE RINGS THE CHANGES

Mark Milligan will replace Mile Jedinak in the holding midfield role.
Mark Milligan will replace Mile Jedinak in the holding midfield role.

SOCCEROOS coach Ange Postecoglou has sprung a few selection surprises for tonight’s clash with Oman, dropping goalscorer James Troisi and Aziz Behich from the starting 11.

Injured captain Mile Jedinak is the other change from the Australian team which won 4-1 against Kuwait in its Group A opener last Friday.

Mark Milligan replaces Jedinak in the holding midfield role, while Matt McKay has been preferred to Troisi as a number eight and Jason Davidson assumes the left back role ahead of Behich.

Milligan (Melbourne Victory) and McKay (Brisbane Roar) have both played under Postecoglou at club level.

The changes were first reported by Fox Sports Australia’s Richard Bayliss.

The Socceroos can seal progression to the knockout stages of the tournament with a victory.

Oman will be eliminated from the tournament if it loses after dropping its opening game to Korea.

It’s half-time in tonight’s other Group A match between Korea and Kuwait. Korea holds a 1-0 advantage and will stay top of the group if it maintains a lead.

Originally published as Australia vs Oman Asian Cup Group A game in Sydney

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/australia-vs-oman-asian-cup-group-a-game-in-sydney/news-story/3d3c7fb2a9462233c99f7d2bbb8795aa