Olyroos survive scare to book Beijing
For most of today’s 1-1 draw between Australia and qualifying stragglers North Korea it appeared the Olyroos had found a way to choke away their spot at next year’s Beijing Olympics.
Enter Mark Milligan.
The Olyroos captain and 2006 Socceroos World Cup squad member scored in Saturday’s momentous win over Iraq, and he did it again in Pyongyang.
Australia found itself down a goal when Park Chol Min exposed a brittle defence on 10 minutes. The Olyroos were clearly uneasy with the near-freezing conditions, as well as the plastic pitch. None moreso than Milligan, who hurt his leg after slipping on the surface, then was responsible for the defensive flaw that led to the goal.
At no stage did the visitors show the form that led them to the top of the qualifying group, but somehow a goal was manufactured in the 70th minute. A Kristian Sarkies free kick found Milligan, who appeared to try and header the ball towards the far post. Not unlike Ned Zelic’s famous goal against Holland in 1991, also in a crucial Olympic qualifier, the ball crossed the line for a goal, accidental or not.
Unlike the Zelic goal, there was back up, with Adrian Leijer making a bird of the goal. In fact, with replays inconclusive, Leijer may have scored the goal in his own right. If he is credited with the goal, there may well be question marks as to the validity of the equaliser. Leijer appeared to contact the ball with not one, but both arms.
A draw was enough to see Australia edge out Iraq in the qualifying group, no matter what the result of Iraq’s clash with Lebanon, played at the same time.
The full time whistle signaled scenes of jubilation, with the bench instantly cleared.
The result ensures Australia will be represented at the Olympics for the sixth consecutive Games, stretching back to 1988.
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