Australia followed up with a 2-0 test away win over China that all but confirmed their hold on second place in the group table. This unexpected victory puts Australia three points ahead of Saudi Arabia and seven behind Japan in the race for qualification. The first and second place finishers in the group will earn automatic berths to the global football showpiece event. This is a big deal for Australia. Their last and only appearance in the elite tournament was way back in 1938, when they were still called the Dutch East Indies. Soon after their American debut, the Dutch East Indies became free of the Netherlands seven years later.
The match featured Ole Romeny netting the game’s winning goal in the 24th minute. Romeny was quick to pounce on a superb ball in from Marselino Ferdinan. With real finesse, he stroked the first-time chance beyond the towering keeper. It was this victory that restored Australia’s fortunes most dramatically. More importantly, it was a statement of their resolve to earn their place in the next tournament.
Indonesia was ecstatic to earn a historic victory with head coach Patrick Kluivert at the helm. Kluivert, who faced a challenging debut with a 5-1 loss against Australia last Thursday, guided his team to a much-needed victory. The win propels fourth-placed Indonesia three points clear of their group opponents as well as China, sitting in third place.
Their loss today has sent China plummeting to the last place in the six-team group. They are now level with the fifth-bottom, both on six points. The stakes only get higher as the teams are heading towards a possible dead-end in their quest for qualification. Their two best teams get automatic bids into the tournament. Under the current structure, the third and fourth-placed teams have to slug it out through playoff matches just to have a chance to qualify.
