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Socceroos open Asian Cup with a 4-0 win

احدث اجدد واروع واجمل واشيك Socceroos open Asian Cup with a 4-0 win

Socceroos open Asian Cup with a 4-0 win
Having negotiated their first Asian Cup challenge practically in cruise control, the Socceroos acknowledge they must find a few more gears for the key clash with fellow tournament heavyweights South Korea.
Australia predictably outplayed 142nd-ranked India in their opening match at Al Sadd Stadium on Monday, with Holger Osieck's side prevailing 4-0 thanks to an inspired display from two-goal hero Tim Cahill.
While a gallant India side put up decent fight in their return to top level football, Australia were always in control with Harry Kewell and Brett Holman also finding the back of the net to leave Osieck satisfied with the start to the campaign.
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But there were also lessons to take away, with the players conceding they were at times sloppy, lost concentration and lacked ruthlessness in front of goal against inferior opposition.
South Korea had a nervous 2-1 win over Bahrain in their opening match meaning Friday's (Saturday morning AEDT) match has plenty riding on it, with a win for either side likely securing top spot in Group C and an easier passage in the knockout stages.
Ranked 40th in the world to Australia's 26th, the Koreans are sparked by Manchester United striker Park Ji-Sung and fared better than the Socceroos at last year's World Cup, reaching the round of 16 before losing to Uruguay.
"It's going to be a big test for us but if we're going to play the best teams, we might as well play them early, and we'll see what happens," said Kewell, whose first-half 25m drive provided the pick of the goals.
"They're going to a very dangerous opponent."
While some had predicted a cricket score against India, who last played at the Asian Cup in 1984, a trademark Cahill header was Australia's only goal in the second half after racking up three prior to the break.
"We know the football can be better and should be better, but the most important thing was getting the three points and not to concede goals," Holman said.
"I think we were a bit sloppier in the second half, especially ... we let our guard down a little bit and everybody in the group knows we'll definitely have to be more alert against South Korea for the full 90 minutes."
Osieck followed through on his promise to field his strongest line-up, but opted to leave goal-less striker Scott McDonald on the bench in favour of starting Kewell and Cahill up front.
The Middlesbrough striker came on for the last 20 minutes without success, while Matt McKay and Nathan Burns also saw minutes in the second half.
The German coach appears set on allowing his best side to develop a rhythm and it appears unlikely he will make any unforced chances for the match against Korea.
"It's very important to get a good start into a tournament, to find your rhythm, get your performance and your players together in particular," Osieck said.
"From my point of view it was a good start."
Mile Jedinak vindicated his selection in central midfield with a strong showing while Sasa Ognenovski did what was required despite not being overly convincing at centre back.
And while Kewell, Holman and Brett Emerton were all impressive in attack, none shone brighter than Cahill, who took his Socceroos goal tally to 24 to move within five of record holder Damien Mori.
"I feel fantastic this year and towards the end of last season and I want to keep building on it," Cahill said.

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