Josh Sends Socceroos to Brazil

When the Socceroos were led out by captain Lucas Neill at ANZ stadium on Tuesday night there was much talk he would never lead them out (or never walk out in the Green & Gold ) again.

The crowd of 83 000 were up and about early when striker Tim Cahill was given a golden opportunity by young gun Robbie Kruze in only the second minute of the match. Cahill struck the ball well but it was stopped by the Iraqi goalie as he dived backwards. Cahill was getting ready to run to the corner flag and celebrate when it came off his boot (and I think most of Australia were too).

There were certainly alot of promising signs headed into the half time break. Tommy Oar and Matt McKay set up alot of opportunites running down the left flank, while Robbie Kruze followed on from recent form creating corners and holding an end in the midfield. Some of the older men in the team were preventing opportunities from Iraq. Captain Lucas Neill and Mark Bresciano were intrumental down back, but still no goal for either team.

In the second half it was Iraq who got off to the great start, flying shots at old reliable Mark Schwartzer who calmly collected and kicked back in play.
Mark Milligan kept creating for the socceroos and Cahill had another shot in the box. A little wide.
 0-0 still at Anz stadium and with only 35 minutes left to score Aussie coach Holger Osiek needed change in his attack. He brought on young star Tomas Rogic into the attack as this change saw Tommy Oar leave the field. Rogic straight away got things moving for Australia having 3 shots at goal in the first 2 minutes he was on. Two of the shots were well off target but at least he started some movement from the Socceroos.

Holger Osiek then took Brett Holman off and he was replaced by Achie Thompson. Archie tried to get past the Iraqi defence a few times but was blocked.
A few minutes later Holger subbed off Socceroos star striker Tim Cahill. Cahill wasn't happy to be sent off and everyone watching the game around the country didn't like Holger's decision aswell at first but when they who was jumping on the spot at the sideline some people changed thier minds. It was Australia's aireal threat, Josh Kennedy coming back from injury. Kennedy had been running around for just over six minutes when he bolted into the penalty box. Mark Bresciano had the ball on the right flank and saw Kennedy's run. He then sent a perfectally weighted cross onto the running head of and GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL. Kennedy and all of his Socceroos teamates ran to the left corner post and all jumped on him.

The Socceroos fans sat nervously, hand in hand, shoulders around eachother as Iraq ran the ball forward. Oganovski performed a perfectly timed (and a bit risky) tackle in the box and Schwartzer mopped up.

The refferee blew his whistle (not that anyone around the country could hear it) and everyone went up. Australia had done the easy work, now they have to find their passports for their long awaited trip to Brazil.

Inspirational moment

This is my all time favourite you tube video. It is truly spine tingling when J mac hits his first three.

I think we all need a pep talk