GOONERSGUIDE WORLD CUP NEWS SECTION

This is our World Cup news section where we provide any news items that might have a significant effect on the matches being played - or sports betting in general.

World Cup News :: Australia beat Qatar to top group

Posted on 2008-06-15 by Gooner

Australia produced a commanding performance to beat Qatar 3-1 and ensure themselves a spot in the final phase of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers from Asia on Saturday.

Level on seven points in Group 1 with Qatar and Iraq before the match, Australia scored twice through Blackburn Rovers star Brett Emerton before a 75th minute strike by Liverpool's Harry Kewell earned them a well-deserved victory in windy conditions at the Al Sadd Stadium.

Ibrahim Khalfan scored a consolation goal for Qatar in the 90th minute, but that was the only bright spot for the hosts who were unlucky to miss several chances, especially in the first half.

Australia's win puts them on top of their group with 10 points leaving Iraq and Qatar, both on seven, to battle it out for the second spot when they clash in Dubai on 22 June.

China, the other team in the group, are already out of contention after suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Iraq in Tianjin on Saturday.

The win was Australia's first in an away game and came after coach Pim Verbeek had copped a great deal of criticism for his conservative strategy while playing abroad, especially after their 1-0 defeat to Iraq earlier in the week in Dubai.

Sourced From : Fifa.com

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