Australia effectively wrapped-up its Group One qualifying phase with a two-goal victory over Fiji, with still a game to play. Steve Corica's opener midway through the first half was enough to keep Australian nerves from being over-stretched, but it wasn't until defensive midfielder Hayden Foxe put away the second, nine minutes from time, that the game was safe.
The Socceroos played the last five minutes with just ten men, as striker John Aloisi was stretchered from the field after injuring a hamstring as he lunged for a third goal. Farina can expect a call from Aloisi's Coventry City manager Gordon Strachan, who was unhappy at Aloisi's international call-up, and now will be fuming at the injury
Socceroo coach Frank Farina had also upset his Fiji opposite number Billy Singh when Farina predicted the Fijians would come out "kicking, punching, and brawling" against Australia, but by game-time Singh had a greater grievance. He insisted that his team be re-allocated a change-room. "Something (in the room) was stinking bad. We thought it was a ploy of the Australians," he said.
Furthermore, an official who insisted that the Fiji team move from its bench following the team entering the pitch had irked Singh, so his mood during the game was even more pugnacious than normal.
This did not translate to the way his side played - the first and only booking occurred six minutes from time, and the game - although fiercely competitive - was played well within the laws of the game.
Farina was happy with the win, even if the goalfeasts of the previous two outings were not to be repeated. "I don't think it was very pretty, but we got what we were after."
Corica started and finished the move that lead to the opening goal for Australia. Corica had won a ball in midfield, and laid it off to John Aloisi with a clever flick. Aloisi in turn sent the ball wide left to Con Boustianis and the winger ran with the ball to the bye-line before sending in a cross. Aloisi won a challenge with Sevanaia who had come out to claim the ball. Aloisi's header was blocked by Sevanaia and rebounded to Corica who struck a left foot shot high into the net.
Foxe popped up in the penalty-box to hook home the second from a corner. Archie Thompson had combined with Corica, allowing Corica to cut inside and cross to Scott Chipperfield's head. Chipperfield's nod-on fell for Foxe at the penalty-spot who turned and blasted into the net.
Shortly before the second goal came a most bizarre incident. Chasing the game one goal in arrears, Singh asked his goalkeeper Isikeli Sevanaia to hold possession of the ball which the imposing keeper did for almost two minutes.
There was no reason for an Australian player to challenge for the ball - a draw would likely see them end up as Group winners - but eventually Aloisi did, racing in just as Sevanaia finally picked up the ball. Aloisi clipped Sevanaia as he came in, sparking a few moments where Fijian tempers seemed likely to boil over. Eventually, order was restored, but the tactic was puzzling.
Singh explained his reasons at the after-match media conference. "(My players) were tired and I wanted to give them a rest. We were against a super team from Europe."