Qatar is going to host Australia in an important match of Group A of the AFC fourth round world cup qualifying 2010. Australia currently leads the point table with 13 points from 5 games, 2 points clear off second placed Japan. Qatar, on the other hand, has not been in good form recently and currently takes the last place in Group A with only 4 points from 6 games. There is no doubt, it is a must-win game for Qatar if they are to keep their world cup qualifying hopes intact.
Match: Qatar vs Australia; Group A, AFC Fourth Round, FIFA 2010 World Cup Qualification.
Date: 6 June 2009
Venue: Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar
Kick off: 16:00 GMT
Australia has been in good form recently, winning 4 out of their 5 games, while the other game against Japan was a draw. I think, Australia would go into the game full of confident on the back of their 4-0 thrashing of Qatar at home in October 2008. Another good thing is that almost all the players are now pretty much fit to catch the trip to Doha, Qatar. The Socceroos have a number of key players who have already proven their ability and skill for the national team.
Midfielder Tim Cahill joined the team after failing to win the FA Cup 2009 title with Everton who lost to Chelsea in the final. After joining the team, Cahill has come down hard on his critics in Australia.
Herald Sun reported:
"Make your own judgment, that's the best way to answer that question," a fired-up Cahill said when asked to respond to the Socceroos critics.
"Your answer should be who's doing the criticising and look at their background, and find out why.
"I don't read what's said in Australia. All I do is play football and try to be a good ambassador for the sport.
"You've got to look at the big picture."
Well, I think, Cahill is right to some extent because he may not be at his top at this moment, but that does not mean that he has lost the class and talent he has possessed for so many years. Besides the Everton playmaker, Australia has another midfield general in Harry Kewell who has also showed what he is capable of in his day. Mark Bresciano also knows it very well how to create scoring chance. In forward position, Australia has in-form Joshua Kennedy who has become one of the most consistent performers in Australian squad. Scott McDonald may not be at his top now, but the Celtic striker could be back to form against Qatar. The player who always remains unnoticed is goalkeeper Mark Bresciano who has been the most consistent performer for Australia.
Qatar has been suffering from a number of injury woes as the home side will not get the services of Khalfan Ibrahim, Abdullah Kone and Mustafa Abdi in this important world cup qualifying fixture against Australia. Surprisingly, coach Bruno Metsu did not include Hussein Yasser and captain Saad Al Shammari from the squad. I am not sure whether it was a right decision to exclude two experienced players at the same time, but one thing is for sure that if Qatar fails to do well against Australia, the coach will face huge criticism. However, there is no doubt, the youngsters like Ahmed Al Fariz, Mohammed Yasser, Majid Mohammad and teenage defender Ibrahim Majid are all talented and have shown excellent prospect with national team in the victories over Saudi Arabia and Iraq in international friendly matches.
Online Live Score and Updates
Here, I am giving some websites from where you can get live score and updates of the match:
Live Score
Footiescorez
Goal.com
Goalzz
ESPN Soccernet
Goonersguide
Sportpress
Australia is favorite against Qatar, but you can not rule out Qatar’s chances in the game, given their home advantage and the current form of some of the young players. Qatar will be desperate to win the match using the advantage of being the home team, but if they can not deliver their best against in-form Australia, who has almost a full fit squad, then this match could be the end of their dream to qualify for the 2010 world cup.
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