The Serve

Schwarzer: My save was lucky

Mark Schwarzer was a picture of relief moments after the Socceroos finished 0-0 with China in Kunming.

Schwarzer almost cost his side a well earned draw when he brought down Chinese substitute Bo Qu in the penalty area. Jiayi Shao fired the 89th minute penalty down the middle, fooling a diving Schwarzer, however the ball became entangled in the keepers legs, fortuitously bouncing back into his hands.

Schwarzer was furious at the penalty, which also earning him a yellow card.

“I made contact, but it was at the same time as getting the ball, I think,” Schwarzer told Fox Sports.

“It was a bit unfortunate and to possibly lose a game in that minute of the game would have been a disaster, because I thought we deserved to get something out of it.”

Schwarzer admitted his latest Socceroos save was more due to luck than skill. “I tried to wait as long as possible,” he said. “It was fortunate, but you’ve got to ride your luck sometimes.”

Today’s late match save will add to a burgeoning scrapbook of national heroics.

“It was pretty hard to beat the Uruguay qualification, but it was an important save today.”

A loss would have been devastating for Australia, who matched the Chinese in the high-altitude conditions without their lone striker, not to mention the star-studded line up of unavailable talent.

“I think if you look at the preparation that we’ve had and the conditions we’ve played under, it’s an amazing result,” Schwarzer said. “To dominate most of the game was an amazing effort.”

“To not concede any goals is a tremendous result.”