AUSTRALIA is through to the final Qualifier for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, after accounting for NEW ZEALAND 4-1, in the second leg Oceania World Cup Qualifier at Stadium Australia today.
The LG Socceroos dominated from the opening whistle, with striker David Zdrilic both opening and closing the scoreline, as Australia now looks ahead to taking on the 5th placed South American team over two legs in November.
As in the first leg, Australia's opener was scored in the sixth minute, Zdrilic intercepting a ball after Craig Moore had pressured New Zealander Chris Killen into an error, and shooting low inside the right hand post.
Brett Emerton then got his name on the scoreboard for his third goal in two games, the midfielder splitting through the defence in an Australian counter-attack and shooting past New Zealand goal-keeper Jason Batty for 2-0.
The visitors pegged one back, from the penalty spot, a minute before half-time, Vaughan Coveny converting after Tony Vidmar was adjudged to have brought down Jonathan Perry in the area, but Australia regained it's two goal advantage just 11 minutes into the second half, Zdrilic knocking the ball toward goal from an Emerton cross, with John Aloisi on hand to slot the ball home.
The LG Socceroos last goal came seven minutes from time, Batty saving an initial shot from Zdrilic, only to see the striker make no mistake from the rebound, for a 4-1 final scoreline.
LG Socceroo coach Frank Farina will now almost certainly travel to South America next month, to watch the Copa America, as a prelude to possible opponents for November, with Australia's next game is set down for August, against Japan.
FRANK FARINA + PAUL OKON - Post Match Media Conference:
Q : Frank, how did you rate the team's performance?
FF : Today I'd say it was a 9 out of 10. I felt we controlled the game from start to finish - we got four goals and possibly could have had a number more. I was also very happy with both of our strikers, it was John's (Aloisi) first 90 minutes in a long, long time, so I was very pleased for him and for David (Zdrilic), David's again scored crucial goals for us.
Q : Paul, what were your thoughts on the game?
PO : I think scoring four goals in front of a fantastic turnout was great, and the motivation today was certainly to qualify, but I think we also had to improve on our second half performance on Wednesday night and I think we did that. We'd also like to thank the Sydney public who turned out and supported us in numbers, and hopefully come November, we'll have a similar result.
Q : And on your own performance?
PO : Well, getting a yellow card so early in the game kind of ruined my game, because after that, any tackle I put in, I was running the risk of being sent off. Then, just before I came off, I actually slipped, and I think it was Tony Vidmar who made the tackle, but the referee was looking at me, and I can't tell you what went through my head at that moment. When I saw my #4 come up to be substituted, it's probably the first time in my life I agreed with a substitution.
Q : Frank, Brett Emerton again had a huge game, how big do you think his future is?
FF : I honestly believe that he's just starting out. I said in an article last week that it's quite frightening that he's only 22 years of age, and I only see bigger and better things for Brett. He's playing in the midfield, which for me is very, very dominant for us, we've got the likes of Paul (Okon), and Josip Skoko who have gelled amazingly well, and you've got the likes of Lazaridis, Tiatto, Emerton on the right, it's quite frightening when you have a look at it.
Q : Paul, what's the feeling with the team at the moment?
PO : Well, we've been together for some time now, and everybody enjoys each other's company, and I think the feeling is very good at the moment. We're all happy that its over and now everyone can go on their holidays, some have to return to pre-season training already, but we had a job to do, we've done it, we won both games, and hopefully in the future we'll have everybody fit and available and on their feet come November.
Q : Paul, some are saying this is the best Australian team ever - what are your thoughts?
PO : That's difficult for me to answer because I was only two years old when Australia first made the World Cup. I think to make comparisons now would be a little bit too early, but hopefully we can qualify and be the second Australian team to do so. Certainly we have a fantastic squad, I've said for a while that what we have is special, and I say special because it's a bunch of guys who have grown up with each other, we've played with each other and against each other at junior football, and to be here now, together in the National team, so close to qualifying for the World Cup, that makes it even more special.
Q : Frank, any preferences on which South American opponent you might come up against in November?
FF : Preferences, you don't really have any, because whoever it is that we come up against will definitely be a very good side. The concerns are the altitude, that's one of the lessons we learned from going to Colombia, and it will be a difficulty, but no, I don't really have a preference at this stage, I'm just happy to be there.