Australians use their heads to overcome stubborn Iraq

DOHA: Two late headers helped Australia overcome a stubborn Iraq 2-1 in Qatar yesterday to kick start its stuttering World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Socceroos moved into second place in Asian zone Group B following their first win of the pool after Tim Cahill and substitute Archie Thompson scored in the final 10 minutes of their clash in Doha.
Australia had dominated possession and wasted some good chances in the match before falling behind to their defensive-minded opponents in the 72nd minute.
After the Socceroos squandered possession, a hopeful long punt from Iraq was skillfully flicked down by captain Younus Mahmood into the path of Alaa Abdul Zahra, who slotted the ball into the corner of Mark Schwarzer’s goal.
Facing the prospect of a fourth qualifier without a win, Australia were spurred into action and Cahill connected with Matt McKay’s out-swinging corner in the 80th minute to score with a trademark header.
The visitors pressed for the winner and substitute Tommy Oar was allowed space and time to deliver a cross, which Thompson, who once scored 13 goals in a World Cup qualifier, flicked into the corner of the net in the 84th minute.
Qatar loses
Hosts Qatar lost a golden opportunity to move closer to a coveted spot in the 2014 Brazil World Cup when they lost 1-0 to Uzbekistan at home yesterday.
A Sanjar Tursunov strike in the 13th minute was the difference between the two teams at Doha’s Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
The 25-year-old Tursunov turned well and smashed a volley into the net from an Akmal Shorakhmedov cross.
A win here, coupled with a loss by Iran against the table-topping South Korea later, would have moved them to second position in Group A from Asia.
Instead, it was Uzbekistan, winless so far in the final qualifying rounds with one loss and two draws coming into the match, who are now second in the group.
Oman beats Jordan
In Amman, Jordan, who upset Australia in their previous World Cup qualifier, suffered a 2-1 loss away to Oman to leave the race to reach the finals in Brazil wide open.
Jordan thought they had rescued a point from their Group B Asian qualifier in Muscat after they had the ball in the net in stoppage time but their late effort was ruled offside.
A relieved Oman clung on to claim their first victory in the five-team group and move onto five points from four matches.
Paul Le Guen’s side are five behind leaders Japan and one ahead of Jordan. Iraq and Australia had two points before their match being played in Qatar because of the security issues in Iraq.




Ahmed Mubarek had put Oman ahead in the 62nd minute before Jumaa Darwish took advantage of the Jordanian defense missing a cross to fire home and double the lead in the 87th minute.
Jordan fought back and Thaer Bawab halved the deficit by scoring from 10 meters in the 90th minute but Oman hung on for a key victory.