BRETT Holman proved the Socceroos' hero as he scored one and set up another in a convincing 3-0 Australia win over Oman in their World Cup 2014 qualifier in Sydney tonight.
Holman put the Socceroos ahead after just eight minutes when he got on the end of a Matt McKay ball and slammed it home.
It marked the start of a Australia's near-total domination of the first half where they cruised in possession, confidently knocking the ball around the park but failing to convert that into goals.
At the end of the first 45, the Socceroos had just three attempts on goal with only one on target which was scarcely believable give the absolute control they had enjoyed in the game.
In the second half, Oman came out playing with more conviction as they looked for an equaliser and posed more of a threat for the first 15 minutes.
But the Socceroos dashed Oman's hopes after 65 minutes with an attack starting with Australia's key playmaker Holman who intercepted the ball on the edge of the box before setting up Luke Wilkshire.
Wilkshire's shot was saved, only to rebound straight to Josh Kennedy who made no mistake and rattled it home to double Australia's advantage.
With the score at 2-0, Oman pushed hard to get back into the game and won a freekick on the edge of the Socceroos' box which forced a great save from keeper Adam Federici in his only real test of the night.
At the other end, a perfectly flighted freekick from Wilkshire saw Mile Jedinak get just enough of a touch on it to defeat Oman's EPL keeper Ali Al Habsi to claim Australia's third and end the contest after 85 minutes.
The Socceroos can secure their place in the next round of qualifying with victory - or possibly just a draw - against Oman in Muscat on November 11.
Australia 3 (Holman 8m, Kennedy 65m, Jedinak 85m)
Oman 0
Crowd: 24,372
Copyright © FourFourTwo Australia . All rights reserved.
Related Articles
Socceroos midfielder embraces move to England
Cardiff City snap up sought-after Socceroos starlet
