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Line up confirmed for 2011 AFC Asian Cup
(Volume 26, No. 513)
Thai coach Bryan Robson watches as his side fails to qualify for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. Pic: AFP
SINGAPORE – Australia qualified for the 2011 Asian Cup finals with a 1-0 defeat of Indonesia on March 3, while Kuwait and Jordan snatched the last berths at the tournament on the final day of qualifying.
Pim Verbeek’s Socceroos dominated possession for long periods of their game in Brisbane but it was a solitary goal from defender Mark Milligan in the 42nd minute that wrapped up all three points.
Australia topped Group A with three wins, two draws and a defeat to their name, while Indonesia finished rock bottom on three points.
“I can only be happy with the result, but of course we would have been happier if we had scored more goals,” said Verbeek.
In the other Group A game, Kuwait needed just a point from their match at qualification rivals Oman in Muscat to hold onto second place and they achieved just that with a goalless draw.
Jordan went into their home match with Singapore at the bottom of Group E, but they guaranteed qualification thanks to a 2-1 win that means they join group winners Iran at next January’s Qatar showpiece.
Thailand could have booked their tickets to Qatar with victory against Iran in Tehran but the side coached by former England captain Bryan Robson were defeated 1-0 thanks to Osasuna midfielder Javad Nekounam’s last-minute winner.
Meanwhile, Syria sealed first place in Group D above China by thrashing Lebanon 4-0 in Damascus.
The final game in Group C saw already-qualified pair Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates battle it out for top spot in the group in the Uzbek capital Tashkent.
UAE ultimately prevailed after a goal in the third minute of injury time by midfielder Sultan Bargash, with the visitors topping the final standings on goal difference.
Earlier, Japan defeated Bahrain 2-0 to make sure they finished top of Group B, with both sides having already qualified.
Japan coach Takeshi Okada also appeared relieved after the team’s dismal performances at the East Asian Championship, where they finished in third place in front of their home fans.
“We went into the game saying we have no excuse, we must win, and my players did exactly what I had asked them to do,” said Okada.
“But we had so many chances. We should have scored more goals, but I’m satisfied that we scored another at the very end.
“Honda plays in quite a different style to old days. He also defended very well. His presence improves our performance.”
In the other Group B game, Hong Kong drew 0-0 at home to Yemen.– AFP
