[attach id=261086 size="medium"]Josh Kennedy heads the ball past Iraq keeper Noor Sabri.[/attach]
Substitute Josh Kennedy’s goal seven minutes from time sent Australia into the World Cup finals for the fourth time yesterday, ending a nervous night for 80,523 rain-soaked fans packed into Sydney’s Olympic Stadium.
Six minutes after coming on as a substitute for Tim Cahill, Kennedy rose alone in the centre of the penalty box to head Mark Bresciano’s cross past the despairing dive of Iraq goalkeeper Noor Sabri and into the net.
The stadium erupted and Kennedy was mobbed by his team-mates as they celebrated the goal that looked like it would secure the win they needed to seal second place in Asian qualifying Group B and the ticket to Brazil that went with it.
The Australians, frustrated for much of the evening by their own lack of penetration as much as the Iraqis, will now make their third successive trip to soccer’s showpiece tournament and a fourth in total after 1974, 2006 and 2010.
“It’s amazing for the country,” captain Lucas Neill said.
“Three World Cups (in a row) now. It wasn’t pretty but we beat what was in front of us. Tonight let’s look at the positives... Australia are going to Brazil!”
Iraq’s hopes of qualifying were ended by last week’s defeat at the hands of group winners Japan and Australia’s victory also ended the slim hopes of Oman and Jordan of a direct passage to the World Cup.
Australia coach Holger Osieck had kept faith with the team who drew 1-1 in Japan and beat Jordan 4-0 in their last two matches to revive a lacklustre qualifying campaign.
Iraq, who lost stalwarts Younis Mahmoud and Nashat Akram to retirement after last week’s defeat, fielded a young side with half an eye on the upcoming Under-20 World Cup.
Goalkeeper Sabri captained the side and it was he who turned Cahill’s left-footed shot around the post after two minutes. It proved to be a false dawn for the Australians, who, despite camping in the Iraq half, were unable to break down the visitors.
Late on, Cahill made his displeasure at being taken off clear to Osieck but Kennedy soon vindicated the decision.
Iran, South Korea qualify
Iran produced a resolute defensive display to beat South Korea 1-0 away in Ulsan yesterday as both sides booked a place in the World Cup finals in Brazil.
Reza Ghoochannejhad scored the winner in the 60th minute to ensure Iran topped Group A of World Cup qualifying Asia and take one of the two places on offer.
South Korea joined them as runners-up after they edged Uzbekistan, 5-1 winners over Qatar yesterday, on goal difference.