World Cup qualifier goes to extra time
Australia 1 Uruguay 0 (1-1 aggregate, extra-time being played)
Australia’s hopes of reaching the World Cup were revived when Mark Bresciano’s first-half goal forced extra-time in the play-off against Uruguay.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg at the weekend, Bresciano levelled the tie in a match dominated by the hosts at Sydney’s Telstra Stadium.
In a repeat of the play-off four years ago, which Uruguay won comfortably, the enterprise of Merseyside duo Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell this time put Australia within touching distance of next year’s tournament in Germany.
Without injured Villarreal striker Diego Forlan, Uruguay relied on Alvaro Recoba to lead their counter-attacks, with the hosts intent on taking the game to their opponents.
Despite an early header from Diego Lugano flashing wide, it was Australia who dictated the pace of the game as they looked for the goal to level the tie.
Jason Culina tried his luck from long range in the 19th minute and forced a save from Fabian Carini, while Blackburn winger Brett Emerton had an effort fly over the bar.
But Guus Hiddink’s side were not made to wait long for the opener, however, with Bresciano forcing the ball home 10 minutes from the interval. Cahill initiated the goal with a sharp turn before heading towards the penalty area and slipping the ball to Mark Viduka.
Middlesbrough striker Viduka instinctively flicked it towards Kewell who missed his shot before the ball fell invitingly for Bresciano to lash into the top corner past Carini.
The goal vindicated Hiddink’s decision to bring on Kewell for Tony Popovic, with the Crystal Palace centre-back already cautioned for an elbow which connected with Recoba.
Recoba, the Inter Milan forward, had tricked Tony Vidmar and shot wide earlier in the first half, but his efforts tended to be limited to set-pieces and moments of skill in wide areas.
Vidmar struggled to contain Recoba and was booked for a foul, although nothing came of the free-kick.
Carlos Diogo was also cautioned, for a foul on Kewell just before the break, while Culina was yellow-carded after the interval after tugging on Mario Regueiro’s shirt.
Despite the fiery atmosphere, both teams continued to attack as they looked to find the winning goal. Bresciano twice had shots which were off target, and Richard Morales should have done better when Recoba’s corner found him free in front of goal.
Kewell saw plenty of the ball on the left flank, the Liverpool winger showing the form absent in his last year at Anfield. With Kewell and Cahill busy in midfield, Australia looked likely to nick the goal they needed, Cahill going wide with a diving header with 13 minutes remaining.
Kewell was behind the Uruguay defence three minutes later but was on his unfavoured right foot, forcing Carini into a comfortable save.
The hosts were helped by uncompromising defender Paolo Montero getting taken off with an injury, while Marcelo Zalayeta – who played with Montero at Juventus - was brought on for the forlorn Recoba.
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