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A rain soaked Melbourne played host to Australia’s final stage 3 Asian qualifier against the once powerful Saudi Arabia. Frank Rijkaard’s Saudi Arabian team needed a win to ensure the Green Falcons reach the final stages of qualification.

In a week of local turmoil over 24,000 Melbournians braved the elements, a midweek fixture, and a late kickoff to witness a master class from Melbourne Victory’s Harry Kewell. A poor first half from the local boys had those in the away corner buzzing. Poor defending, and a cracking goal allowed Saudi Arabia to take a 2-1 lead into the break.

The coaching nous of Holger Osieck to bring on local boy Archie Thompson for Troisi was the clear turning point of the contest. Within 10 seconds of Thompsons arrival Lucas Neill managed to put the ball in the back of the net for his beloved Socceroos. Unluckily for Neill this was incorrectly ruled offside.

The game was then turned on its head when the Socceroos scored THREE goals in three minutes, a feat we grew accustomed to when playing in the Oceania confederation. From then on it was plain sailing for the Australian outfit that weren’t challenged from then on.

Some good signs for a nation that needed this result after the week that football has endured. Alex Brosque was outstanding up front, but other than that it was the usual suspects who performed well at AAMI Park.

Final Score – Australia 4 defeated Saudi Arabia 2 (Half time 1-2)

The GOALS

Alex BROSQUE (43’, 75’) Harry KEWELL (73’) Brett EMERTON (76’)

Rate the Roos

Mark SCHWARZER 6 – Solid but will be disappointed he was beaten at his near post.

Lucas NEILL 6 – Wrongly ruled offside for his debut goal. Was good, without being great.

Matthew SPIRANOVIC 4 –Played out of position, and it showed. Will need to improve on tonight

Jade NORTH 4 Socceroos ambitions went south tonight, will get another chance though

Sasa OGNENOVSKI 6 – Solid at the back. Gave what was expected from the no fuss defender.

Brett EMERTON 7 – Scored a lucky goal, and put in yet another great Socceroos shift

Mark MILLIGAN 6 – Played his role well tonight, looking forward to seeing him at this level again.

Harry KEWELL 8 – If this is what Harry is capable of Victory fans get your 2012/13 memberships now.

James TROISI 6 – Played well before being subbed for match turner Archie Thompson

Alex BROSQUE 9 – Two goals, and an assist. Could be a key player in our World Cup hopes.. Outstanding (@thehardsword MOM)

Marco BRESCIANO 8 – Looked slow at the start, but set up first goal, and showed he belonged at this level again. Welcome back Marco

Archie THOMPSON 8 – His energy and pace changed the game. Well played Holger, umm I mean Archie

David CARNEY 6 – A cameo all the way from Uzbekistan. Showed promise, but still far too attacking

Nick CARLE – Didn’t spend enough time on the pitch to rate.

Holger OSIECK 8 – Made the Archie sub at a great stage, strange didn’t give someone other than Carle a run.

The REFEREE – Started nervously, and Australia must remember we are more physical than most others in Asia. Wasn’t helped by his linesmen and failed to take control at times.

The CROWD – Full credit to the Saudi’s they were brilliant, until shell shocked in the 76th minute. The home crowd seemed very quiet with the active area, not very active. Found our voice late in the night, but we seem to far polite and need to get club fan groups more involved.

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Where to now

Whilst it’s not panic stations, it’s not beer and skittles either. Emerton, Bresciano, and Kewell will all be mid 30’s in Brazil, and Schwarzer will be pushing 40.

We need to realise we are not there yet, and hope we get a favourable draw in a confederation that is rapidly improving. Non qualification will set the A-League back much further than the Gold Coast saga, and the FFA need to pour all available resources into the effort.

There was no Cahill, Kennedy, or many others tonight, so the Socceroo’s will only be stronger in the next stage of qualification.

Whilst I am very happy with what I have seen tonight, I have not googled flights to Brazil in 2014 just yet