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The Socceroos' disappointing Asian Cup journey ends

July 23rd 2007 05:50
Mark Schwarzer and Lucas Neill
Mark Schwarzer and Lucas Neill console one another after losing 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out against Japan


Soon to be ex-Socceroos coach (if certain rumours are to be believed) Graham Arnold's bold prediction that Australia could win the Asian cup in its first attempt badly backfired when Australia were dumped out of the competition by three-time winners Japan.

Despite taking the lead through John Aloisi's strike in the 70th-minute lead with a close-range finish from Harry Kewell's inviting corner, Japan's Naohiro Takahara quickly levelled just minutes later.

Soon after, Vince Grella was harshly sent off with 14 minutes remaining but the Aussies hung on to send the match into penalties.

Kewell and Lucas Neill both saw their spot kicks saved by Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi and despite Tim Cahill, Nicky Carle and David Carney all converting, veteran Japan defender Yuji Nakazawa stepped up to seal the 4-3 victory.

Despite being cruelly knocked out of the competition by penalties, the Socceroos had very little to cheer about in their debut Asian Cup apart from the 4-0 victory over Thailand.

A shocking draw with Oman followed by a humiliating loss to Iraq set the tone for the entire tournament which saw an underpar record of just one win, one draw and two losses in four matches.


[Image Source: GettyImages]

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Posted By: charles - Category: Australian football
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7 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Lara M

July 23rd 2007 06:11


Love Speaks
Food Slate
Yes...very sad -- they'll need to change those Weet-Bix ads...

Comment by charles

July 23rd 2007 06:53


ZCars
Ponderous
Or Tim Cahill isn't eating enough weetbix - apparently he only does 9!


Charles.

Comment by Lara M

July 23rd 2007 06:57


Love Speaks
Food Slate
<LOL>....Yah!!

Comment by charles

July 24th 2007 00:13


ZCars
Ponderous
Not so much for the game against Japan - most of the players would've been on song, but the Socceroos definitely underestimated their opponents in the Oman and Iraq games.


Charles.

Comment by Stanley

July 24th 2007 11:49
ah hard to believe this was mark schwarzer's first penalty loss as an australian keeper.

going all movie geek on everyone i thought 'schwarzer was with us'. re: spaceballs.

Comment by Andrew Aigner-Muehler

July 25th 2007 05:21


I will handle your complaint...
It is all about the service
Travellers Journey
Chinese studying in Australia
Where do I begin?
ESL lesson plans
Australia was on the back foot as soon as they missed the first two penalties from Kewell and Neill. two of the best three players in the team, with Cahill the other best player.

Our big names have to stand up a bit more, I think anyway.

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