AUSTRALIA is in prime position to wrap up Group 1 of the Oceania Qualifiers for the World Cup, after a hard fought 2-0 victory over Fiji, on Day 4 of action in Coffs Harbour.
Unlike the previous two victories, where the LG Socceroos amassed a total of 53 goals, Fiji proved a much tougher opponent in keeping the Australians to a goal in each half.
After several close chances, midfielder Steve Corica finally put the LG Socceroos on the board in the 22nd minute, on the end of a cross from Con Boutsianis, and netting the ball on his second attempt.
Hayden Foxe went close to increasing the lead in the 33rd minute, his header from a Boutsianis corner just over the bar, while Fiji almost equalised close to half-time, Leone Vurukania breaking down the right and putting a pin-point cross into the Australian goal-mouth, only to see his team-mate, Josaia Sauturaga sky his shot from right in front.
It was the same story in the second half, as Australia failed to capitalise on chances until the 79th minute, when Foxe netted Australia's second, Corica playing a short corner to Archie Thompson, whose cross was headed over to Foxe by Scott Chipperfield, for the 2-0 scoreline.
"The result, as we've been stressing all week, is the most important thing, and again the lads went out, maybe a little flatter tonight, but we got what we were after, a win." said LG Socceroo coach Frank Farina at the post-match media conference.
"Fiji was very well disciplined, and they made it very difficult for us, I wouldn't say it surprised me, because I think Fijian football has come a long way in the last ten to fifteen years but as I said, the important thing for us is that it was a win tonight." Farina concluded.
"We didn't expect them to make it easy for us, and they certainly didn't do that, they had a lot of people behind the ball, and while we had a lot of possession, unfortunately we didn't score a few more goals, but two's enough to win a game," added captain Kevin Muscat.
"We wanted to raise the tempo of the game, but it was very difficult, the way they played the match didn't allow us to do that, but it's all about qualifying for the next round, we still have one game to go, and we're looking to win that as well." Muscat concluded.
Australia's victory was dampened however, by an injury to John Aloisi, the striker stretchered from the field in the dying minutes of the game with damage to his hamstring.
"We don't know how bad it is, but it's very unfortunate, and I feel more for the guy than anything else, it's very disappointing for him," added Farina.
Aloisi has since been diagnosed with a grade 1 hamstring injury.