Asian Cup 2019: Effortless Australia do enough to see off Palestine

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  • Australia got their Asian Cup defence back on track with a comfortable 3-0 win against Palestine at a sell-out Rashid Stadium.

    Two goals in three first-half minutes lifted the gloom cast by Sunday’s shock opening 1-0 defeat to Jordan in Group B. On-loan Hibernian striker Jamie Maclaren broke his international duck to flick in Tom Rogic’s cross in the 18th minute, before Midtjylland winger Awer Mabil volleyed home shortly after.

    Despite the vocal encouragement of the sizeable Palestine support, a response could then not be stirred in their outclassed heroes. A third goal would follow in the 90th minute when replacement Apostolos Giannou headed in from point-blank range after a short corner, Chris Ikonomidis getting a second assist.

    Here is the report card:

    GOOD

    Mahmoud’s might – It takes a good player to unsettle the Socceroos’ centre-back axis of Trent Sainsbury – now suspended for Tuesday’s critical decider against Syria after a second competition booking – and Milos Degenek.

    Palestine only had three attempts in the entire game, with none on target. But when they chipped it up to hulking Al Masry centre forward Mahmoud Wadi, confusion abounded.

    Wadi was a second-half substitute in the goalless draw with Syria. His mere presence should mean the Australia promotion remains for the decider with Jordan.

    Although the fact Palestine have gone scoreless in both games does not auger well for a first knockout-stage progression.

    Socceroos strike back – Australia’s setback against Jordan did more than just provide a false start.

    It lead to questions about the entire Graham Arnold programme. Plus, left the likes of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Japan and South Korea in early positions of strength.

    At a partisan Rashid, the Sydney FC legend’s new charges came up with the right answers.

    Ikonomidis and Mabil were excellent on both wings. Tom Rogic, Jackson Irvine and Mark Milligan should be good enough to win most midfield battles, while Maclaren’s excellent header eases so much pressure.

    Ultimately, this Soceroos’ set-up misses a goal scorer the most now that Tim Cahill is – finally – retired.

    Maclaren must keep this up. A fluffed third-minute mishit showed the rushed side of the Darmstadt 98-owned striker’s game.

    BAD

    Defensive disasters – Palestine looked a tough nut to crack when they opened with a 0-0 draw with Syria.

    The likes of skipper Abdelatif Bahdari simply relished the aerial fight with the direct Syrians. Without suspended usual foil Mohammed Saleh, however, Palestine’s resolve crumbled.

    Australia profited from a trio of crosses. Maclaren and Giannou’s goals looked particularly bad on the replay.

    They cannot be so lax against qualified Jordan and expect to proceed.

    Sainsbury’s suspension – It appeared a nothing moment.

    But the 83rd-minute yellow card shown to premier centre-back Sainsbury as a comfortable win wound to a finish could have stark consequences.

    A pair of bookings mean the PSV Eindhoven defender will not be present to repel Syria’s 2017 AFC Player of the Year Omar Khrbin and Al Ahli Jeddah talisman Omar Al Somah on Tuesday at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium.

    Matthew Jurman is the likely stand-in. His struggles at shock Saudi Professional League relegation candidates Al Ittihad, however, show he is not a like-for-like replacement.

    KEY MOMENTS

    3rd min CHANCE: Maclaren receives the ball unmarked in the penalty box, but pulls off an embarrassing air-shot.

    18th min GOAL: Rogic swings one in from deep and Maclaren moves between the centre-backs to expertly flick a header home. Memorable way to score a first international goal.

    20th min GOAL: The Socceroos go wide again. This time, Ikonomidis floats a centre in and Mabil arrives unmarked at the back stick to emphatically volley in.

    54th min WOODWORK: Right-back Rhyan Grant’s cross/shot rocks the crossbar.

    90th min GOAL: Giannou strolls in unmarked to head home Ikonomidis’ well-worked short corner.

    TACTICAL TALKING POINT

    New trio make their marks

    Change had to be afoot for Australia after a listless opening loss to Jordan.

    Under-pressure boss Arnold restricted the changes to three – and all of them impressed at Rashid Stadium.

    Mulleted right-back Rhyan Grant dominated his flank and rocked the crossbar in the second half with a deflected cross/shot. Hull City midfielder Jackson Irvine added drive to the centre of the pitch in place of sedate fellow Championship performer Massimo Luongo, plus Chris Ikonomidis strong early form with Perth Glory translated into an assist for fellow winger Mabil and substitute Giannou.

    The constant between this trio is energy. Life has been breathed back into the Socceroos.

    VERDICTS

    Palestine – C

    Not even the partisan support packed into the Rashid could lift limited Palestine past their opponents.

    They have it all to do against Jordan to get a result that sends them into the knockouts when Group B winds up on Tuesday.

    Australia – B

    This result was a victory for Arnold. His changes all paid off, plus you could discern a new direction that the Socceroos are going to travel on.

    Syria will be tough final opponents. But they showed enough this weekend to feel confident of another triumph against the nation they defeated in World Cup 2018’s play-offs.

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