Qatar was never meant to the Asian measuring stick for Australia, however the Socceroos crisp 3-0 disposal of the middle-eastern nation at Telstra Dome will temporarily ease concerns about the coaching credentials of new manager Pim Verbeek.
In front of over 50,000 in Melbourne, the Socceroos seemed intent on making a statement to the rest of Asia, launching a stunning opening half-hour assault, as the home side raided Qatar’s back half. Chances were so plentiful that a fully prepared Australian side may have doubled their first half account.
Attacking from the start, Brett Emerton provided a pinpoint cross from the right wing, finding striker Josh Kennedy in the box. Kennedy had two defenders to contend with, however his significant height advantage gave the Karlsruher SC a clear shot at the ball, which he headed perfectly, out of the reach of Qatar goalkeeper Saqr.
Verbeek, who selected just one local player - Craig Moore - in the starting eleven, raised both arms in jubilation when the ball found the back of the net.
Australia were unrelenting, toying with the visitors in the air, with perennial Socceroos goal scorer Tim Cahill left open in the box off a corner, with the Everton star firing a pinpoint header into the goal towards the far post on 17 minutes.
The rout continued.
A delightful pass from Scott McDonald, past four hapless defenders, found a vacant Marco Bresciano, who pounded a strike home on 33 minutes. The Bresciano celebratory statue would have sent shivers down the spine of Qatar coach Jorge Fossati. It was Bresciano’s 2005 goal in Sydney that enabled Australia to take Fossati’s Uruguay to extra time, eventually leading to Uruguay’s elimination from the 2006 World Cup.
With the result dead, the match slowed down considerably in the second half, as an understandably fatigued Australian side battled to the finish. Most of the team travelled from Europe, having played on the weekend.
While the three points and three goals will be invaluable, the next test will be a more accurate indicator for the Socceroos. Australia plays China in Kunming on March 26.
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