DOHA: Former champions Australia produced a vintage performance to emerge as a serious title contender by demolishing Indonesia 4-0 in the 2023 Asian Cup opening round of 16 match at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium here yesterday.
The win saw the Socceroos, who had topped Group B, become the first team to book a slot in the quarterfinals after racing into the lead as early as the 12th minute when Jackson Irvine’s intended cross was deflected into his own goal by defender Elkan Baggott, leaving goalkeeper Ernando Ari Sutaryadi helpless.
The Indonesian squad under South Korean coach Shin Tae Yong showed flashes of brilliance in attack but the best chance of the first half came through Hubner but his shot was saved by the goalkeeper in the 23rd minute.
The Aussies who depended largely on fast counter attacks, doubled their advantage in the 45th minute when Martin Boyle’s flying header to meet a cross from Gethin Jones, gave the goalkeeper no chance.
Coming in from the break, the Indonesians set a fast and furious pace but the Aussies were equal to the challenge although they had to retort to some rough tactics which saw referee Mohammed Abdulla Hassan flash four yellow cards, three to Indonesia and one to Australia.
The match looked destined to remain 2-0 as the clock ticked away towards the final whistle but the introduction of substitute Craig Goodwin in the 87th minute turned the complexion of the match immediately as the striker took just two minutes to add Australia’s third goal in the 89th minute and if everyone thought that would be the final score, there was indeed another twist in the outcome.
Another two minutes later, Harry Souttar completed the rout with the fourth goal to end the game on a high, but all credit to Indonesia for having come this far, their first appearance in the round of 16, despite fielding a young squad.
Australia’s next opponent will be either Saudi Arabia or South Korea who face each other in another round of 16 match later. – BERNAMA
