Of course it would be remiss not to mention the U21 team currently at the World Youth Cup in the UAE. After drawing 1-1 against the Czech Republic, they play Canada early in the week before facing Brazil. Canada did nothing but defend in their 2-0 loss to Brazil, and Australia would expect to beat them to have any hope of reaching the knockout phase. And given that the four best third-placed teams do qualify for the second phase in this 24 team tournament, a win over Canada would see them make it.
The Young Socceroos defeated Brazil 3-2 Thursday night in what could be a watershed match for the team. Whilst not needing to win to qualify for the second phase, coach Ange Postecoglou saw the chance to test to team and go for a win. And in an amazing first half performance, Brazil did not know what hit them. Hardly seeing the ball, they were further stunned when Australia scored two goals without answer. Then two minutes into the second half, in came a third. Brazil rallied late to make for a dramatic finish, and though the Australians looked like they got the wobbles, the defensive end held. Brazil's goals came in the 75th and 87th minute.
For their efforts, Australia meet a best third-place team, which will be the hosts, the UAE, on Wednesday morning. This was the team that they beat 2-0 and 0-0 in preparation games prior to the tournament. The key will be to forget the result against Brazil, and retain total focus on the task at hand. The last time Australia produced such a memorable result - the 4-3 victory over eventual champions Argentina in 1997 - they lost meekly to Japan in the first knockout game. Check Fifa's and the Australian Soccer's website for full coverage.
As conspicuously portended, Australia, after doing all the hard work beating Brazil and topping the group after the round robin stage, were eliminated to relatively weaker opposition in the first round of the knockout phase - the round of 16. UAE, the host nation and qualifer from the group stage as a best third placed team, drew the depressing sighs with an 89th minute strike. Ismail Matar brought down a long cross-field pass on the left hand edge of the box, cut inside and his powerful shot took a wicked deflection to spin under the body of Australia's despairing goalkeeper, Nathan Coe. Matar became an instant hero for the Arabs. Not just with scoring the goal, but his domination of the match. While Australia did have their chances, it always looked like one of those games that Australia would fail to triumph and the UAE more likely to score. So it proved.
28 Nov 03 17:45 DUBAI BRA - CAN 2:0 (0:0)
28 Nov 03 20:30 DUBAI CZE - AUS 1:1 (1:0)
01 Dec 03 17:45 DUBAI AUS - CAN 2:1 (1:1)
01 Dec 03 20:30 DUBAI CZE - BRA 1:1 (1:1)
04 Dec 03 17:45 DUBAI BRA - AUS 2:3 (0:2)
04 Dec 03 20:30 DUBAI CAN - CZE 1:0 (0:0)
Team GP W D L GF GA + / - Pts
Australia 3 2 1 0 6 4 2 7
Brazil 3 1 1 1 5 4 1 4
Canada 3 1 0 2 2 4 -2 3
Czech Republic 3 0 2 1 2 3 -1 2
* Czech Republic eliminated
08 Dec 03 18:00 ABU DHABI JPN - KOR 2:1 a.e.t. (1:1, 0:1)
08 Dec 03 21:00 ABU DHABI BFA - CAN 0:1 (0:0)
08 Dec 03 18:00 DUBAI ARG - EGY 2:1 a.e.t. (1:1, 1:1)
08 Dec 03 21:00 DUBAI USA - CIV 2:0 (2:0)
09 Dec 03 18:00 SHARJAH BRA - SVK 2:1 a.e.t. (1:1, 0:0)
09 Dec 03 21:00 SHARJAH AUS - UAE 0:1 (0:0)
09 Dec 03 18:00 AL-AIN PAR - ESP 0:1 (0:0)
09 Dec 03 21:00 AL-AIN IRL - COL 2:3 a.e.t. (2:2, 0:1)
12 Dec 03 18:00 ABU DHABI CAN - ESP 1:2 a.e.t. (1:1, 0:1)
12 Dec 03 21:00 ABU DHABI USA - ARG 1:2 a.e.t. (1:1, 0:0)
12 Dec 03 18:00 DUBAI COL - UAE 1:0 (1:0)
12 Dec 03 21:00 DUBAI JPN - BRA 1:5 (0:4)
15 Dec 03 18:00 ABU DHABI BRA - ARG 1:0 (0:0)
15 Dec 03 21:00 DUBAI ESP - COL 1:0 (0:0)
19 Dec 03 18:00 ABU DHABI COL - ARG 2:1 (1:1)
19 Dec 03 20:45 ABU DHABI ESP - BRA 0:1 (0:0)