Super Tim strikes for Qantas Socceroos

Australia's Mr Reliable Tim Cahill has stepped up to re-invigorate the Qantas Socceroos' hopes of qualifying for the 2011 Asian Cup, by scoring the winning goal in the 1-0 defeat of Oman at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.

Australia's Mr Reliable Tim Cahill has stepped up to re-invigorate the Qantas Socceroos' hopes of qualifying for the 2011 Asian Cup, by scoring the winning goal in the 1-0 defeat of Oman at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.

Cahill squeezed in his 19th goal from 36 Qantas Socceroos appearances in the 73rd minute of a tight tussle to move Australia to four points, level with Oman and clear of Kuwait (three points) and Indonesia (one point). The win puts Australia back on track to qualify for the 2011 tournament in Qatar and gives it some momentum heading into the return leg in Muscat on November 14.

While there were a few nervous moments, especially in the first half when Oman gave up a couple of excellent chances, Australia took control of the match in the second half and was eventually rewarded when Scott Chipperfield tore down the left and delivered a low cross which Cahill was on the end of.

Australia started the game brightly and Harry Kewell, Josh Kennedy and Cahill all had early chances thwarted by either desperate defence or Omani goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi. Kennedy and Kewell were particularly busy, but were unable to convert that to the scoreboard.

But while Oman built slowly into the game, they had two excellent chances to take the lead in the 23rd and 26th minute.

The first chance came from Amad Al Hossani, who struck a shot from a tight angle, forcing Mark Schwarzer to parry. The ball hit the post and rebounded back fortunately to an Australian defender, who cleared.

Three minutes later, an Omani counter-attack saw Fawzi Basheer stream forward and he put Hassam Al Hosni through on goal. With only Schwarzer to beat, he fired way over the bar.

Kennedy continued to be Australia's attacking weapon and after setting up Kewell for a shot which was blocked, he went himself and shot wide. On 40 minutes, he had the best Australian chance of the half, rising well to meet Luke Wilkshire's cross, but his header was straight at the keeper. In first-half injury time, Kewell then fired a flat long-range shot which just whipped past the left -hand post.

Three minutes into the second half, Australia was only denied by bad luck, when Lucas Neill latched onto a corner and got his effort on target. Al Habsi's head was in the way, and while he didn't know it at the time, the keeper had prevented a Qantas Socceroos goal.

In the lead up to the hour mark, Ismail Al Ajmi sailed his shot just wide, while Kennedy headed over from a cross. But it was at that point, which Oman began to sit back, and Australia would eventually take advantage.

Space opened up down the left and Chipperfield ducked around his opponent and slid in a low ball. It initially looked as if Kennedy has missed his chance, but his deflected effort ended up with Cahill all alone at the far post. It wasn't quite the clinical finish we are used of from the Everton star, but after hitting the opposite post, the ball went in. From that point on, it was relatively comfortable for the Australian defence, save for a penalty appeal for a challenge by Chipperfield. Cahill departed late on to a standing ovation, with the Australian fans breathing a sigh of relief.

Australia 1 (Cahill 73) Oman 0

Australia starting XI 1. Mark Schwarzer, 2.Lucas Neill, 3.Craig Moore, 4. Tim Cahill (28. Mile Jedinak 89), 5.Jason Culina, 7. Brett Emerton, 8. Luke Wilkshire, 9. Joshua Kennedy, 10. Harry Kewell (20. David Carney 79') , 11. Scott Chipperfield, 16. Carl Valeri (101. Dario Vidosic 70')

Subs not used: 14. Brett Holman, 75. Patrick Kisnorbo, 81. Ante Covic, 112. Rhys Williams

Cautions: Nil

Oman Starting XI: 26. Ali Al Habsi, 2. Mohammad Rabee-a, 5. Mohammed Albalushi, 10. Fawzi Basheer, 12. Ahmad Mubarak (8. Badr Al Maimani 85'), 14. Hassam Al Hosni, 15.Ismail Al Ajmi, (9.Hashim Saleh 83'), 17. Hassan Yousuf, 20. Amad Al Hossani, 21. Ahmed Hadid, 25.Khalifa Ayil

Subs not used 1. Mohammed Al Hooti, 6. Hussain Ali Farah, 11. Saad Al Mulkhani, 37. Jaber Al Owaiasi, 99. Qasim Saeed

Cautions: 14. Hassam Al Hosni (89')

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