The match against Australia in the quarter-final round will be a tough challenge for defending champion Iraq. With the hope of defending their title for the second time, Iraq will face Australia on 22 January 2011 at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha. This exciting match will begin at 16:25 local time (13:25 GMT).
You can find livescore of the match here: http://www.livescore.com/
It is expected to be an exciting match between these two strong teams. For both teams, it is a “do or die” match. So, they will have to fight for victory to ensue their place in the semi-final round. Facing Australia will be a difficult task for Iraq to hold their title. Millions of fans will be eagerly waiting to see if Iraq can move into the last four after defeating Australia. It is a million dollar question.
On pen and paper, Australia looks much stronger compared to Iraq. They will be the hot favorite team on Saturday’s game against Iraq. They are also considered as one of the strongest teams to win the title this time. However, Australia is yet to get the taste of the AFC Asian Cup trophy. It seems that they will win the trophy this time.
Australia finished their group stage as a top finisher with 7 points from 3 matches. Their two victories came against India and Bahrain by 4-0 and 1-0 respectively while the result of the match against South Korea was 1-1 draw. In group competition, they scored 6 goals and conceded only one. It is really impressive performance.
On the other hand, Iraq moved into the quarter-final round as runners-up from group D. Playing three matches, they scored 6 points with two victories and one lose. Their performance in the group round was not satisfactory as they could score only three goals and allowed their opponent to score two goals. These two goals came from Iran who beat them by 2-1.
Australia should want to take revenge for their 3-1 defeat at the hand of Iraq four years ago in a group game in Bangkok. It was their first appearance at the sub-continental competition. Despite their heavy defeat in the group competition, they could be able to ensure their place in the quarter-final round where they were beaten by Japan in a penalty shootout after the match was finished with 1-1 draw. Australian captain, Lucas Neill, who was the part of the team in 2007, told that facing Iraq will not be an easy task.
Iraq will try to get some inspiration from their previous victory against Australia. They should want to continue their winning strike against the non-host nation.
The injury of striker, Tim Cahill, will be the main cause of concern. Australian coach wants his service badly in the game against Iraq. Tim Cahill’s participation in the match is still not sure. The good news for Australian team is that he is recovering from thigh injury that he sustained in a match against Bahrain. At the end, Australia won the match by 1-0.
Two other Australian players, David Carney and Luke Wilkshire, are also struggling hard to get recover from injury. They picked up groin and shoulder injuries respectively in the draw match against South Korea. Because of their injuries they could not take part in the match against Bahrain.
Australian goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer, and Defensive Midfielder, Mile Jedinak, will be the main attraction of tomorrow’s game. Mark Schwarzer has the history of saving curial penalties. So far, he has conceded only one goal that came against Bahrain in a 1-1 draw match. Mile Jedinak scored two goals in the group stage.
Younus Mahmood and Mohmmed Kassid are expected to show their best game against Australia in a crucial game.
In Australia, Fox Sports will broadcast this match live. Most of the Asian countries can watch the match live on ESPN STAR Sports.
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