Tim Cahill sat out training on Thursday, as his Australian teammates said it was high time they got the better of holders Iraq ahead of their AFC Asian Cup clash.
Cahill has been struggling with a thigh injury and team officials were tight-lipped about his prospects of making today’s (Saturday) quarter-final showdown.
Iraq pulled off a shock 3-1 win over the Socceroos in 2007 in the group stages, a victory which set them on the way to continental glory.
“I don’t think revenge is the word,” said midfielder Brett Holman. “But it would be nice to get a win as they’ve won the last couple of games against us and had the upper hand.”
Fellow midfielder Mile Jedinak has been a major player so far for Australia, scoring twice in the group stages including the winner in the 1-0 victory over Bahrain that ensured they topped their group.
Asked if it was a revenge mission against the champions, Jedinak said: “Personally, not being there last time, I’m not thinking about that, though I’m not sure about the rest of the boys and this is a different game.”
The 26-year-old warned his side: “Let’s not kid ourselves — they are the defending champions for a reason. They are a good side and we are expecting a tough game.”
The Australian progressed to the final eight in the Asian Cup after a 1-0 victory against a hard working Bahrain outfit.
Mile Jedinak’s second goal in as many games ensured Australia progressed.
Jedinak’s fantastic match winning strike came as half time was approaching and was exactly what the Aussies needed heading into the break.
The former Central Coast Mariners midfielder scored the kind of goal that made him famous in the Hyundai A-League and put him in the shop window for an international move that now sees him ply his trade in Turkey.
Having picked up a partial clearance from the Bahrain defence, Jedinak hit a thunderbolt of a half volley that dipped and bounced just in front of the diving ‘keeper Mansoor. The power of the shot and bounce were too much for the ‘keeper to stop and the ball crashed into the back of the net.
The Qantas Socceroos only just sneaked top spot though after South Korea won 4-1 against India in the final group C match.
The results meant that Australia ended up being one goal better off in the overall goal difference and they should now avoid the tricky Iranians and Japanese until the final.
Australia will now play at 1225 am on the 23rd January against Iraq
