Twist the 2010 World Cup music solely simply, changing a continent and there you could have it: this time for Asia. Saudi Arabia and Japan have made the second-ever World Cup on this a part of the world a factor to recollect, the implications of Iran’s run right here have been felt past the pitch nevertheless it was Australia who struck essentially the most resounding blow for the continent by making the spherical of 16.
Australia’s 1-0 win in opposition to Denmark by means of Mathew Leckie’s Sixtieth-minute purpose took them to the place they’ve been solely as soon as, in 2006. On Saturday, Australia notched up their first World Cup in 12 years and it led to reporters telling gamers within the blended zone that Melbourne’s Federation Sq. had gone berserk. And now this. Predictably, after the ultimate whistle, ‘Waltzing Matilda’ was performed on the general public tackle system at Al Janoub Stadium.
“It’s actually arduous to explain feelings now,” stated Leckie in a pitchside interview. “We all the time knew we may do it as a gaggle. I’m proud, exhausted.”
Leckie shouldn’t be as a lot a journeyman as Mitchell Duke whose purpose fetched the win in opposition to Tunisia and who performs within the Japan second division. Leckie is with Melbourne Metropolis which is among the many tranche of groups owned by the Metropolis Soccer group. And he has represented Borussia Moenchengladbach.
After a cautious first half, Australia started extra aggressively and deserved the purpose. Leckie ran once more and almost discovered Jackson Irvine however with Denmark trying flat as the sport went on, they didn’t must. Christian Eriksen’s poor contact in second-half stoppage time summed up how Denmark withered away in a event they, guided by his distinctive expertise, have been anticipated to mild up.
Denmark began brightly although utilizing the width of the park for this must-win Group D sport on Wednesday. Joakim Maehle and Jesper Lindstrom on the left and Andreas Skov Olsen on the opposite facet stored Australia busy. There have been sharp passes in shut vary blended with the ball performed lengthy, there have been nutmegs – it felt so good that Lindstrom did it twice – and there have been passes with the surface of the boot. However the ball didn’t as soon as fall for a Dane to complete.
Martin Braithwaite couldn’t get a leg to a partial clearance from goalkeeper Mathew Ryan and Eriksen couldn’t maintain an effort heading in the right direction n the twenty fifth minute. The Denmark captain had discovered Braithwaite who launched Jesper Lindstrom, the left-side ahead breezing into the Australia penalty space solely to see the ball ping round earlier than Eriksen shot out. Andreas Cornelius didn’t direct a header heading in the right direction within the 73rd minute and once more in second-half stoppage time.
Led by Harry Souttar, the person mountain who has a day job as a central defender – the slide within the 83rd minute was one of many many occasions he put his physique on the road – Australia managed to comprise the pink shirts for the remainder of the time. When Ryan gripped a nook kick within the six minutes of stoppage time earlier than the tip, the stadium roared like somebody had scored.
Solely Lindstrom continued being a tough proposition for Australia. Though he hit the corner-flag, Milons Degenek needed to pull him again and was booked.
After Riley Mcgree’s early effort was blocked by a teammate working on purpose, Australia needed to wait past the half-hour mark for a have a look at Kasper Schmeichel’s purpose. However Leckie’s poor contact allow them to down.
Nothing of the type occurred when Australia broke on the hour mark. Clearing their strains, Australia rolled the ball to McGree who performed it ahead after midfielder Irvine had offered a dummy. Leckie turned Maehle inside and out of doors earlier than firing a placement by means of the defender’s legs that was past Schmeichel. On an evening of nutmegs, it stored Australia in Doha and despatched Denmark homeward certain.