Australia struck twice early on and then soaked up the pressure as they downed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 2-0 yesterday to set up an Asian Cup final against unbeaten South Korea.
Quickfire goals from defenders Trent Sainsbury and Jason Davidson in the first 15 minutes were enough to put the 2011 runners-up in the frame for their first Asian title.
“It was a dream start for us,” Davidson of West Bromwich Albion said. “I think as the game went on fatigue kicked in a little bit, but we hung on and kept a clean sheet.”
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UAE star playmaker Omar Abdulrahman asked constant questions of the Socceroos at Newcastle’s Hunter Stadium, but the visitors were unable to craft a way back.
“It wasn’t the best performance, but sometimes in semi-finals you don’t play your best football,” said forward Robbie Kruse, a veteran of 2011’s tight final defeat to Japan. “Sometimes you have to grind out a victory and we did that. We’re happy to be there and we have the chance to create history on Saturday night.”
Sainsbury had promised to “choke” UAE until they’re blue” and they barely had time to draw breath when he headed in the game’s first corner after only three minutes.
The centerhalf rose unmarked to nod the ball down and past goalkeeper Majed Naser, settling any early nerves for Ange Postecoglou’s men.
UAE targetman Ahmed Khalil almost hit back on 10 minutes, but his low shot struck the outside of Mathew Ryan’s near post and went out for a goal-kick.
On 14 minutes Australia earned breathing space when leftback Davidson coolly passed the ball into the bottom corner for the 2-0 lead.
Australia’s front three of Robbie Kruse, Mathew Leckie and Tim Cahill were always dangerous, but despite going two goals down UAE refused to be cowed and they continually probed without being able to crack the home defense.
The Socceroos, who lost to Japan in the 2011 final, should have had a third shortly before the break, but Mark Milligan could only drag his shot wide.
Khalil drilled a powerful long-range effort narrowly wide after the restart as the Gulf side sought to keep the game alive, but that was the closest they came and, despite their forays forward, the second half played out scoreless for what finished as a comfortable Australia victory.
“In such a big game like a semi-final it’s not easy to come back after conceding two goals by mistakes in the first 15 minutes,” UAE coach Mahdi Ali said. “You have to concentrate for 90 minutes, otherwise you will lose. The goals affected us a lot. We tried our best to come back, but it was not easy. Many players were tired today and we didn’t have enough power to come back into the game.”
Australia will be wary of South Korea in Saturday’s final after they lost 1-0 to the Taeguk Warriors in the group stage. Uli Stielike’s men are also yet to concede a goal.
“Hopefully, the whole nation gets behind them [Australia] the next few days and we’re going to need it, because those boys have worked tremendously hard to get to here and the difference on Saturday night might be just the extra energy the crowd can generate,” Socceroos coach Postecoglou said.
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