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Australia v Palestine: Asian Cup 2019 Group B live coverage

Apo Giannou’s late goal caps off brilliant performance by Socceroos, who win crucial Asian Cup clash with Palestine 3-0.

Ray Gatt
Australia's Jamie Maclaren celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Palestine in their Group B Asian Cup clash. Picture: AP
Australia's Jamie Maclaren celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Palestine in their Group B Asian Cup clash. Picture: AP
15 min read
9:31AMJanuary 11, 2019.
Updated 12:12AMJanuary 12, 2019

The Socceroos have defeated Palestine 3-0 in their 2019 Asian Cup Group B match at the Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.

Australia’s Asian Cup campaign is back on track after a comfortable win over Palestine in Dubai.

The Socceroos, beaten 1-0 by Jordan in their opening match, secured a 3-0 victory over a limited Palestine outfit to move into second in the group. Jamie Maclaren’s first goal for the Socceroos in the 18th minute and a strike by Awer Mabil two minutes later gave Australia a 2-0 halftime lead before substitute Apostolos Giannou sealed the win in injury time in the second half.

Coach Graham Arnold made three changes to his starting lineup and all made a difference with Chris Ikonomidis, Jackson Irvine and Rhyan Grant starting in place of Robbie Kruse, Massimo Luongo and the injured Josh Risdon. The victory means a point against Syria in their final group match in Al Ain on Tuesday will be enough to put the Socceroos into the competition’s knockout stages.

Arnold had demanded a reaction from his players to the Jordan match and he got it, with Australia taking an early lead at the Rashid Stadium. Maclaren, who had an air-swing inside the box in the game’s early stages, broke his duck for Australia in his 10th appearance for the national team to open the scoring.

The Hibernian striker’s angled header found the far corner of the net after a good cross by Tom Rogic.

Within two minutes the lead had doubled when Ikonomidis found Awer Mabil at the back post and the South Sudanese refugee slammed home from close range. Irvine twice came close to extending the lead with headers while Mabil probably should have had a second when he skied a shot after some clever work by Maclaren.

Giannou, on for Maclaren, put some gloss on the performance when he nodded home an Ikonomidis cross at the far post in 90th minute.

The only blemish for Australia was a late yellow card for defender Trent Sainsbury for time-wasting, which rules him out of the Syria game due to suspension.

Palestine, who picked up their first Asian Cup point against Syria last Sunday, toiled hard but were limited to half chances, with Sainsbury and Milos Degenek largely untroubled at the back.

Palestine’s final group match will be against group leaders Jordan in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

AAP

Ray Gatt 11.50pm: FULL-TIME — Australia 3-0

And that’s full-time.

Australia have bounced back with a comfortable 3-0 win over an outclassed Palestine in their secodn group game at the Asian Cup.

Coach Graham Arnold wanted a reaction following the shock opening game lost to Jordan and he got it as the Socceroos totally dominated the game to record their first win of the tournament.

First half goals to Jamie Maclaren and Awer Mabil within two minutes of each other in the first half set up the win. Substitute Apo Giannou added a third in injury time.

The Socceroos were never in trouble and could have won by a greater margin.

They will now play Syria in four days and a draw or win will secure their passage into the knock out stage.

Ray Gatt 11.46pm: GOAL! Australia 3-0

A third goal for Australia with substitute Apo Giannou heading home at the far post following a great cross from the right.
AUSTRALIA 3-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 11.43pm: Kruse on for Mabil

Graham Arnold makes his final change of the game, with Robbie Kruse coming on for Awer Mabil, who has been fantasic. Mabil has done so much work he is spent. Like Jamie Maclaren, he was rewarded with a goal.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Socceroos forward Awer Mabil and Palestine midfielder Shadi Shaban contest the ball. Picture: AFP
Socceroos forward Awer Mabil and Palestine midfielder Shadi Shaban contest the ball. Picture: AFP

Ray Gatt 11.39pm: Sainsbury to miss Syria clash

Socceroos defender Trent Sainsbury gets a yellow card and will be out of the final group game against Syria as it is his second of the tournament so far.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 11.38pm: Maclaren gets an early shower

Graham Arnold goes to the bench again as Jamie Maclaren comes off and is replaced by Apo Giannou. That was a great shift from Maclaren who worked hard and was rewarded with his first international goal. There are nine minutes left.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 11.37pm: The stats don’t lie

Amazing statistic....the Socceroos get another corner and that is there 10th of the game while Palestine have yet to have a corner. Says it all about Australia’s domination in this game.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 11.34pm: Palestine make final substitution

Palestine make their third change as Mahmoud Wadi succumbs to cramps and is replaced by Wadi. That’s the last of their allowed substitutes. There’s 14 minutes to go.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 11.31pm: Luongo on for Rogic

Now Graham Arnold makes a change. No surprise Tom Rogic, who has done very well, makes way for Massimo Luongo. That was much better for Rogic as he looked much more comfortable and much more effective. He laid on the pass for the opening goal.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 11.29pm: Palestine supporters go wild

Palestine have their best chance of the game. A cross from the right is headed wide. That got the pro-Palestine crowd going.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

An Australian flag is seen amongst Palestine supporters. Picture: AP
An Australian flag is seen amongst Palestine supporters. Picture: AP

Ray Gatt 11.27pm: Any movement on bench?

The Socceroos might look to make a change or two soon as we reach the 70 minute mark. There’s 20 minutes to go as Palestine make their second change.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 11.25pm: Socceroos search for a third

Palestine with a good little period for them but the Australian defence holds firm. You sense if the Socceroos can get another goal the floodgates might open.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 11.18pm: Ikonomidis shoots, pulls up sore

Chris Ikonomidis shows great skill to control a ball; he strides forward into open space and slips as he attempts a shot that goes straight to the goalkeeper. Now he is getting some treatment for an injury, but seems okay.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 11.14pm: Palestine substitution

Palestine make their first change of the game on 57 minutes. Dabbagh for Zorilla.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 11.11pm: Australia dominate early in second half

Chris Ikonomidis sends a superb ball to a free Rhyan Grant, who puts in a cross that a defender deflects towards goal and is tipped on to the cross bar by the goalkeeper. It’s all Australia at the moment as Jackson Irvine heads a corner from the right onto the top of the net. Tom Rogic then gets a yellow card for preventing a quick free kick to be taken.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Australian midfielder Mark Milligan and Palestine forward Mahmoud Wadi fight for the ball. Picture: AP
Australian midfielder Mark Milligan and Palestine forward Mahmoud Wadi fight for the ball. Picture: AP

Ray Gatt 11.08pm: Rogic causing problems for Palestine

Tom Rogic goes on a solo run and looks dangerous before he is fouled on the edge of the Palestine area. But Rogic’s attempt at goal from the free kick is blocked by the wall and cleared.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 11.04pm: Irvine penalised ... again

Good to see Australia putting on the early pressure as they win two corners within a minute. The first is cleared and the second is floated in but Jackson Irvine is penalised as he attempts a header.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 11.01pm: Second half is underway

The Socceroos get the second half under way, leading 2-0. They need to repeat that first half performance because Palestine will be desperate to get back into this game.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 10.46pm: HALFTIME — Australia 2-0 Palestine

And that’s half-time. A great first 45 minutes for Australia as they go into the dressing rooms leading Palestine 2-0. Goals to Jamie Maclaren, his first for the Socceroos, and Awer Mabil within two minutes of each other has proved the difference.

This has been a far better performance from the Australians. They have looked very comfortable. Chris Ikonomidis, Tom Rogic and Mark Milligan have been standouts.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 10.42pm: Mabil wastes brilliant chance

It should have been three goals for Australia there as Jamie Maclaren sets up Awer Mabil but he blasts his attempt way over the bar.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 10.40pm: Palestine presses

Free kick to Palestine in a dangerous area. They get the chance to put the ball in the mixer in the Socceroos penalty area., but it is cleared by the Australians. Palestine are trying to get more forward.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Socceroos defender Aziz Behich battles for possession with Jonathan Zorrilla of Palestine. Picture: Getty Images
Socceroos defender Aziz Behich battles for possession with Jonathan Zorrilla of Palestine. Picture: Getty Images

Ray Gatt 10.34pm: Irvine goes close

Australia has a free kick. Mark Milligan floats it into the box and Jackson Irvine gets a head to it but it sails over the bar. We are 33 minutes into the first half.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 10.26pm: Pressure on Palestine

How will Palestine cope having to chase the game now? Their game plan will have gone out the window as yhey can’t sit back. For their part, the Socceroos can’t afford to relax as the opposition won’t give up without a fight.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 10.24pm: Irvine almost makes it three

Almost another goal for the Socceroos as a corner from the right is met by a leaping Jackson Irvine, whose header strikes a defender who knew nothing about it.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 10.21pm: GOAL! Mabil gets Socceroos’ second

And make that two as Awer Mabil grabs the second on 20 minutes. Chris Ikonomidis floats in a beautiful ball to the far post and Mabil puts it into the back of the net.
AUSTRALIA 2-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 10.19pm: GOAL! Maclaren scores for Socceroos

At last! The Socceroos score. And it is Jamie Maclaren, who heads home after a great cross from Tom Rogic. That makes up for his earlier awful miss. That goal should open the game up a little. It will force Palestine to go forward a little more and might leave them a little more exposed. It’s 18 minutes gone and it’s Australia 1-0 Palestine.
AUSTRALIA 1-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 10.13pm: Grant, Ikonomidis shine early

After some patient build up a cross comes in from Rhyan Grant on the right and it just eludes Chris Ikonomidis. The Socceroos, as expected, are dominating possession while Palestine are sitting very deep and have five and six defenders in a line at times. 12 minutes gone and it is still 0-0.
AUSTRALIA 0-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 10.07pm: Palestine on the attack

Palestine win the ball in midfield and surge quickly as they put pressure on the Socceroos defence. Milos Degenek eventually blocks a shot.
AUSTRALIA 0-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 10.05pm: Maclaren makes a meal of it

Huge missed opportunity for the Socceroos as Chris Ikonomidis makes a lovely run into the box and lays the ball off to Jamie Maclaren, who has an air swing from about six metres and the ball is eventually cleared.
AUSTRALIA 0-0 PALESTINE

Ray Gatt 10pm: We’re underway in Dubai

And Palestine get us under way. A nervous 90 minutes ahead for Socceroos fans.

Palestine supporters cheer on their team. Picture: AFP
Palestine supporters cheer on their team. Picture: AFP

Ray Gatt 9.56pm: Sell-out? Maybe not

t’s supposed to be a sell out in Dubai but there are a lot of empty seats in the stadium as the teams come out for this vital game between the Socceroos and Palestine.

9.42pm: Socceroos warm up

9.30pm: How both teams line up tonight

Ray Gatt 8.50pm: Kruse dumped from starting XI

Graham Arnold has made three changes to the Socceroos line-up for tonight’s important game against Palestine in Dubai.

As expected, Chris Ikonomidis has earned a starting spot while Jackson Irvine and Rhyan Grant have also been included as the Australians look to grab their first win of the group stage following the shock loss to Jordan four days ago,

Ikonomidis comes in for Robbie Kruse, who moves to the bench, while Grant replaces the injured Josh Risdon at right-back. Massimo Luongo, who suffered a head knock against Jordan, has been replaced by Irvine.

Australia's midfielder Robbie Kruse has been benched. Picture: AP
Australia's midfielder Robbie Kruse has been benched. Picture: AP

The changes are not unexpected as Arnold looks to add a bit more energy to the attack.

Interestingly, Jamie Maclaren has retained the no.9 role ahead of Apo Giannou, despite having very little input in the last game.

Ikonomidis added a lot of spark when he came on for Kruse in the second half. He has been in great form for Perth Glory in the A-League and this is a great reward for his perserverence.

This is a must-win game for the Socceroos who need to finish at least second in the group to qualify for the knock-out stage. Jordan’s win over Syria guarantees them top spot.

Palestine won’t be a pushover tonight after drawing their opening game with Syria. They will be super defensive, throwing all 11 players behind the ball and hoping to hit the Australians on the counter.

AUSTRALIA: Maty Ryan; Rhyan Grant, Milos Degenek, Trent Sainsbury, Aziz Behich; Jackson Irvine, Mark Milligan, Tom Rogic; Awer Mabil, Jamie Maclaren, Chris Ikonomidis.

Ray Gatt 8.30pm: It’s all or nothing for Socceroos

The talk is of redemption but it’s more crunch time for the Socceroos as their hopes of defending the Asian Cup go on the line against Palestine in Dubai, UAE in just under three hours time (AET).

Following the 1-0 loss to Jordan in the opening game, a defeat here against one of the tournament’s lesser lights will prove disaster for Australia and could see them bundled out of the tournament at the group stage.

No doubt the Palestinians have nothing to lose while the pressure is most certainly on the Socceroos and coach Graham Arnold.

The Australians must find a way to ignite their attack and find a way around what will be an 11-man defensive wall as the opposition look to take a leaf from the tactics employed by Jordan.

Australia's head coach Graham Arnold, right, gives instructions from the sideline against Jordan. Picture: AP
Australia's head coach Graham Arnold, right, gives instructions from the sideline against Jordan. Picture: AP

The Socceroos will have plenty of possession because Palestine, like Jordan did, will be happy to let them have the ball. They’ll just sit back with every man behind the ball and look to hit their rivals on the counter whenever they lose possession.

The trick for Arnold’s men will be to safe guard from turning over possession in their own half.

Australia were ineffective in attack in the first half against Jordan, struggling to contend with all the bodies in the final third of the field. At times they resorted to ineffective crosses, but these were dealt with quite easily.

Arnold has worked hard at training since the opening game with an emphasis on quicker movement of the ball and trying to get in behind the defence more. The Socceroos were not given much space to move against Jordan and this is something they will need to sort out tonight.

The important thing is they will need to stay alert, especially in defence and ensure they don’t concede an early goal as they did on Monday. That gave Jordan even more confidence and forced Australia to panic a little.

Socceroos midfielder Tom Rogic in action against Jordan. Picture: Getty Images
Socceroos midfielder Tom Rogic in action against Jordan. Picture: Getty Images

Thankfully, it appears Tom Rogic will start, broken hand and all. He trained strongly on Thursday and will have the hand protected.

The Celtic attacker was far from his best against Jordan and came in for some heavy criticism from fans and some sections of the media who claim he doesn’t produce the same sort of form for Australia as he does for his club side.

But, if the Wizard of Oz, as he is known in Scotland, is on his game then he could be the answer to breaking down the stubborn defence.

However, it should not all come down to Rogic. Every player needs to be on their game as there were too many who went missing the other night.

It will be interesting to see what Arnold does with his front line. Andrew Nabbout would have been a certainty to start but he won’t be risked with his hamstring issue so he is likely to come off the bench.

That should mean a start for either Jamie Maclaren, who did not get too many opportunities against Jordan, or Apo Giannou, who would provide a presence in the box with his strength and height.

7pm: Countdown is on

6.30pm: Arnold ‘expects a reaction’

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold is predicting a strong response from his players against Palestine after their disappointing Asian Cup opening performance. Defending champions Australia will head into tonight’s match in Dubai bottom of Group B after their 1-0 loss to Jordan in Al Ain last Sunday.

Arnold has declared attacking midfielder Tom Rogic will start against the Palestinians despite breaking a bone in his left hand against Jordan. The news is not so good on fullback Josh Risdon (groin) and striker Andrew Nabbout (groin).

“Risdon out, Nabbout is probably out, Rogic in,” Arnold said when asked about the injured trio.

Australia's likely line-up for tonight's Asian Cup group match against Palestine.
Australia's likely line-up for tonight's Asian Cup group match against Palestine.

“He’s got a broken hand, you know that. But we expect him to play. He’s got two great legs.” Risdon is almost certain to be replaced by Rhyan Grant on the right side of defence but otherwise Arnold isn’t expected to make many changes to the team which fell to world No.109 Jordan.

“I expect a reaction,” Arnold said.

“There were a lot of good things in the Jordan game. Obviously they parked the bus and made it hard for us but there was a lot of good stuff that we showed.

“I’ve seen the hurt after the game and I’ve seen the motivation. They’re on the edge, they’re ready to go. It’s all about a reaction.”

Graham Arnold barks orders from the sideline during Australia’s loss to Jordan last week. Picture: Getty Images
Graham Arnold barks orders from the sideline during Australia’s loss to Jordan last week. Picture: Getty Images

AAP

6pm: Guide to Socceroos v Palestine

AUSTRALIA
■ Coach: Graham Arnold.
■ FIFA world ranking: 41

PALESTINE
■ Coach: Noureddine Ould Ali.
■ FIFA world ranking: 99

HEAD TO HEAD
■ No previous encounters.

THE LOWDOWN
■ Australia suffered the shock result of the tournament so far when the defending champions were beaten 1-0 last Sunday by a spirited Jordan team in Al Ain. They face a Palestine team, buoyed by a battling 0-0 draw against Syria in their opener. Graham Arnold expects a response and knows his team have little margin for error if they’re to avoid an embarrassing group-stage exit.

THE TEAM
■ A first-half groin injury in the Jordan defeat means Josh Risdon is out and replaced by Rhyan Grant at right back. Tom Rogic will start despite breaking a bone in his left hand against Jordan, while Andrew Nabbout is unlikely to return from the groin strain which had ruled him out of the Jordan match, with Jamie Maclaren likely to stay up front. Robbie Kruse faces a battle to retain his spot from Chris Ikonomidis who had impressed off the bench in Sunday’s game.

THE OPPONENT
■ Palestine claimed their first tournament point against Syria in their second Asian Cup. A team who often struggle to bring their players together for training or matches due to travel restrictions within Israel for Palestinians, the one thing the Knights don’t lack is team spirit. As well as Palestine-based players, the team boast Chileans, a Swede, an American and a Slovenian — all drawn from the worldwide Palestinian diaspora. Defender Mohamed Saleh is suspended after his red card against Syria, while Chilean-born Yashir Islame is the team’s main attacking outlet with seven goals in 13 appearances.

Australia plays Palestine in the Asian Cup tonight.
Australia plays Palestine in the Asian Cup tonight.

AAP

5pm: Palestine’s long road to Asian Cup

When Nazmi Albadawi’s mother Raja heard her son had been approached to play international football for Palestine, she didn’t like it.

Albadawi’s grandparents were among the estimated 700,000 who fled Palestine following the establishment of Israel after World War II and the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

Almost half a century later it would be Albadawi’s own parents — Raja and father Nidal — making their own escape when they left Kuwait in the early 1990s after Iraq invaded the Gulf nation.

Albadawi grew up a world away from the troubled Middle Eastern region, living among fellow members of the Palestinian diaspora in Raleigh, North Carolina in the United States.

With his mother fearful of what might happen to her son if he accepted the offer to represent Palestine and had to travel to the region, Albadawi knocked back the offer.

Thankfully for the 27-year-old, the Palestinian FA gave him another call late last year.

This time, with an Asian Cup on the horizon, Albadawi accepted. In November he travelled to the land of his grandparents for the first time with Palestine playing Pakistan in a friendly in Al-Ram — a city occupied by Israel since the Six-Day War in 1967.

Palestinian fans in the West Bank city of Ramallah react as they watch a large screen showing their team playing during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B football match against Syria. Picture: AFP
Palestinian fans in the West Bank city of Ramallah react as they watch a large screen showing their team playing during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B football match against Syria. Picture: AFP

Highlighting the difficulties Palestine faces as a football team, the match had to be postponed for a day after their opponents were delayed by Israel officials upon entering the country.

When the game did take place however, Albadawi scored the winner from the bench in a 2-1 victory and he’s now in the United Arab Emirates where he and his teammates are preparing to face the Socceroos in a crucial Asian Cup match in Dubai.

“My mum was very, very worried at first as I think most mums are, but then after I went and after how much I loved it and how well I did and everything — it was really safe, there was nothing to worry about, nothing really to fear,” Albadawi said of his international debut.

“Now her and my dad want to go too, they want to see it as well. They flew here to watch the games as well because it’s kind of a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to play in the Asian Cup. My mum almost started crying when she saw the Palestinian crowd at the first game because of all the passion and seeing all your people and everything. It means a lot to them as well.”

Palestine players greet their fans after their draw with Syria. Picture: AFP
Palestine players greet their fans after their draw with Syria. Picture: AFP

The FC Cincinnati striker’s story is just one of many unique pathways players take into the Palestine team, which is appearing in just its second Asian Cup after debuting in Australia four years ago.

As well as the American, Palestine’s 23-man squad boasts players from all around the globe — Chile, Argentina, Slovenia and Sweden.

The team has become a symbol of hope for Palestine, a region which many nations — including Australia — do not diplomatically recognise as a sovereign state. A battling 0-0 draw against Syria in Sharjah last Sunday sparked celebrations given it was Palestine’s first point in an international football tournament.

AAP

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/australia-v-palestine-asian-cup-2019-group-b-live-coverage/news-story/d3e8ab53b02d35e91b7cb6eff9c189b1