Jedinak sends Australia into quarters

Australia only needed a point to qualify, they finished top of Group C on goal difference.

DOHA: Mile Jedinak was the toast of Australia again as his goal sent the Socceroos into the Asian Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Bahrain. Jedinak scored the equaliser in their 1-1 draw with South Korea on Friday and got the decisive goal here in the 37th minute.

Australia only needed a point to qualify and despite South Korea beating India 4-1, they finished top of Group C on goal difference to avoid heavyweights Iran in the last-eight.

Australia went into the match amidst the teeming rain as Brett Emerton went close with a right-foot shot from the edge of the box that skidded just wide. Bahrain’s Hamad Rakea also had an early sight of goal but sent his long-range drive sailing well over the bar. Everton’s Tim Cahill had Australia’s best chance since the opening minutes when his powerful shot flew past the post on 17 minutes. But it was Jedinak who broke the deadlock and scored after the interval.

S Korea squash India

South Korea marched into the Asian Cup quarter-finals in their final Group C game. The Koreans established a quick-fire 2-0 lead through Ji Dong-Won and Koo Ja-Cheol before striker Sunil Chhetri brought India back into the game from the penalty spot. Ji swiftly restored the Taeguk Warriors’ two-goal advantage but minnows India’s stout defending meant the Koreans had to wait until the 81st minute for Son Heung-Min to net their fourth goal.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th,  2011.