2010 Football World Cup Qualification

[maccatak11]

BEST 0-0 DRAW EVER!!

I dunno who else stayed up till 2am to watch this one, but Australia took on Qatar in Dohar last night, needing only a point to qualify for consecutive world cups.

We started well, holding onto the ball well but we struggled a little in the final third and didn't have any golden chances on goal.

But our defence stood up, and amazingly Australia have gone more than 600 minutes of WCQ football without conceding a goal.

Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell, who was best on the park for the 'roos, had the best chances for australia, but Qatar's keeper stood firm each time. The game didn't reach the heights of november 16, 2005, but it was arguably no less important, as Australia qualify for consecutive world cup finals for the first time ever.

I am excited anyway

[BigPete33]

One thnig that really impressed me was how fit Harry Kewell is looking.

It's the first time in a LONG time he's thrown off the shackles and just burned past defenders. That in itself has got me VERY excited.

[maccatak11]

Yeah its amazing what regular game time does for someones fitness and form. He looked very good.

I think the 4-2-3-1 formation (although not new) looked good i think.

It hasn't been often where bresciano, kewell, cahill and kennedy have all started in the same side. Looked good as an attacking quartet.

[BigPete33]

Completely agree.

I was glad Kennedy got a start and at times both Kewell and Cahill looked extremely dangerous.

Kudos to Culina as well for playing at right back, not always easy to go from midfield to defence.

[Scotty]

But our defence stood up, and amazingly Australia have gone more than 600 minutes of WCQ football without conceding a goal.

Excuse my ignorance, but is that due more to our own defence, or the opposition's attack?

[maccatak11]

Partly, but sides like Japan, Uzbekistan and even Qatar and Bahrain have some excellent strikers.

Not sure if you have watched all of the games, but i have, and Australia haven't had it all their own way. There have been long periods of time when the opposition have been on top in games and our defence has absorbed immense pressure.

Schwarzer keeps getting better, and lucas neil has also been very good.

[BigPete33]

Valid question, and good answer.

Some of the teams we play against have some very good strikers and attacking midfielders, Qatar included.

Schwarzer has been in superb form between the sticks all year, this is reflected in the EPL where the team he used to play for last season got relegated and the team he plays for now achieved their highest ever finish - a lot of that is because of Schwarzers form.

[Ashley Higgins]

woo hoo australia off to another world cup woo hoo

[Chelsea4thewin]

Kudos to Culina as well for playing at right back, not always easy to go from midfield to defence.

he played right back this season for PSV pete, got voted the second best right back in the league by the fans

however he does a great job for Australia in the midfield, i cant wait till Emerton comes back, was an absolute gun for us before his injury

Kewell looked super fit too, one of the commentators said he's down to 7% body fat which is the best shape he has been in for many many years, he could of been such a great player without the horror run of injuries he has had

[Chelsea4thewin]

TIM CAHILL YOU SUPERSTAR