Asian Cup: Socceroos, Taeguk Warriors confirm last-eight berths

Australia thrash Oman 4-0, South Korea eke out 1-0 win against Kuwait

SYDNEY: Ruthless Australia smashed four unanswered goals past Oman yesterday to reach the Asian Cup quarter-finals with room to spare and also ensure a berth for South Korea.

Goals from Matt McKay and Robbie Kruse and a Mark Milligan penalty put Australia 3-0 up at the break and cruising before substitute Tomi Juric completed the 4-0 rout.

The emphatic result, following Friday's 4-1 win over Kuwait, leaves no doubt about Australia's ability to win a first Asian Cup as they size up the knock-out stages.

"I thought the players were fantastic tonight in terms of their commitment, but they also worked really, really hard," said Australia coach Ange Postecoglou.

Australia will now face South Korea in Brisbane on Saturday to decide who finishes top of Group A, a position which should earn a more kindly quarter-final.

‘Lucky S Korea no Asian Cup contenders’

A ‘lucky’ win over Kuwait failed to lift the spirits of South Korea coach Uli Stielike, who said his out-of-form and injury-hit team should no longer be considered Asian Cup title contenders.

Nam Tae-hee headed a 36th minute winner against Kuwait at a wet Canberra Stadium to book a quarter-final berth after making it two wins from two in Group A but the German saw little to celebrate in another disjointed display.

"I hate to admit it but Kuwait was the better team in many aspects," Stielike told reporters. "They battled hard for the ball and made better passes. We were quite lucky.”

 

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