A Tim Cahill strike has handed the Socceroos an invaluable 1-0 victory over UAE at a packed Al-Jazira Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday morning.
The 36-year-old veteran scored on 75 minutes, earning the Socceroos an important three points in searing temperatures.
The win puts Australia alone on top of Asian Group B with six points.
Guess who?
Yep, him again.
Less than four minutes after replacing Tomi Juric up front, Cahill once again bobbed up to hand what will prove to be a priceless victory to Australia in Abu Dhabi’s oppressive summer conditions.
Melbourne City’s prize recruit slotted home from close-range having been found by an inch-perfect Brad Smith delivery which, at that stage of the match, deserved praise on its own.
The Bournemouth left-back had his colours lowered somewhat versus Iraq, but produced a moment of the highest quality to send Australia home winners.
Australia rewarded for dominance
In the lead-up to Wednesday morning’s fixture, stand-in captain Mark Milligan insisted the Socceroos could use the warm conditions to their advantage by maintaining the ball.
They did just that, and for much of the game their dominance was reflected in numbers, with Australia enjoying around 60% possession for most of the evening.
Until Cahill’s strike, Ange Postecoglou’s men could not quite make that control count on the scoreboard, with Robbie Kruse and Aaron Mooy in particular going close.
In the end though, one goal was enough and it was deserved after one of the better showings of the Postecoglou era.
Socceroos establish early group lead
They say home form takes care of itself but away form wins titles.
Given the huge distances and potential for extreme summer weather, that line is especially pertinent to the Asian sector of World Cup qualifying.
After two matchdays, one home and one away, Australia have secured six big points, and those that will be taken home from the gulf nation against one of Asia’s trickiest assignments will be vital.
The Socceroos are now the stand-alone leaders of Group B with six points, while UAE have fallen back into the ruck after Japan, whom they defeated 2-1 away in Saitama, downed Thailand 2-0.
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