Australia has disposed of Defending Asian Cup Champions Iraq after their tight battle which was forced into extra time.
Having had the majoring of the first half chances, the Socceroos failed to capitalise, unable to convert their dominance into goals on the scoreboard. What was expected to be a comfortable match for the Australians turned out to be a nail-biting encounter with Iraq who produced several chances of their own, coming close to snatching the victory on more than one occasion.
After several rough challenges by the Iraq team on Cahill and Kewell, both players were left short of 100% fitness by the end of the match, but this disappointment was wiped out by Harry Kewell's 119th minute goal to give Australia a 1-0 victory. A perfectly placed cross by A-League's McKay found Kewell's head bewteen two Iraqi defenders. Kewell made no mistake with the finish, pushing Iraq out of the tournament, and getting Australia into the semi-finals of the Asian Cup for the first time.
Australia will now play the impressive Uzbekistan team in the early hours of Australia Day (3:25am Wednesday morning EDST) and will have Brett Emerton coming back into the squad after completion of his one-match suspension.
