Quick-fire goals put Australia into Asian Cup final
Socceroos' dream start in clash against UAE sets up showdown with South Korea
Australia struck twice early on and then soaked up the pressure as they downed United Arab Emirates 2-0 on Tuesday to set up an Asian Cup final against unbeaten South Korea.
Quick-fire goals from defenders Trent Sainsbury and Jason Davidson in the first 15 minutes were enough to put the 2011 runners-up in the frame for their first Asian title.
"It was a dream start for us," said Davidson of West Bromwich Albion. "I think as the game went on fatigue kicked in a little bit but we hung on and kept a clean sheet."
I think as the game went on fatigue kicked in a little bit but we hung on and kept a clean sheet
The Emirates' star playmaker, Omar Abdulrahman, asked constant questions of the Socceroos at Newcastle's Hunter Stadium, but the visitors were unable to craft a way back.
"It wasn't the best performance but sometimes in semi-finals you don't play your best football," said forward Robbie Kruse, a veteran of 2011's tight final defeat to Japan.
"Sometimes you have to grind out a victory and we did that."
UAE barely had time to draw breath when Sainsbury headed in the game's first corner after only three minutes. The centre half rose unmarked to nod the ball down and past goalkeeper Majed Naser, settling any early nerves for Ange Postecoglou's men.
And on 14 minutes Australia earned breathing space when left back Davidson coolly passed the ball into the bottom corner for the 2-0 lead.
Australia's front three of Robbie Kruse, Mathew Leckie and Tim Cahill were always dangerous but despite going two goals down, UAE refused to be cowed and they continually probed without being able to crack the home defence.
Ahmed Khalil drilled a powerful long-range effort narrowly wide after the restart as the Gulf side sought to keep the game alive. But that was the closest they came.
"In such a big game like a semi-final it's not easy to come back after conceding two goals through mistakes in the first 15 minutes," said UAE coach Mahdi Ali.
"You have to concentrate for 90 minutes, otherwise you will lose. The goals affected us a lot. We tried our best to come back but it was not easy. Many players were tired and we didn't have enough power to come back into the game."
Australia will be wary of South Korea in Saturday's final, after they lost 1-0 to the Taeguk Warriors in the group stage.
"Hopefully the whole nation gets behind them [the Australian team] in the next few days and we're going to need it," said Postecoglou.
