Australia 3-1 Liechtenstein: Aloisi Seals Win

Australia ended its World Cup preparations with a stale 3-1 win over European minnows Liechtenstein. The Socceroos came from one goal down to defeat Liechtenstein with two late goals sealing the victory.

Guus Hiddink made six changes to the side which drew with the Netherlands most notably starting Harry Kewell who was substituted after 59 minutes. Mark Viduka, Vince Grella, Marco Bresciano, Jason Culina and Scott Chipperfield were all rested whilst Hiddink replaced Mark Schwarzer with Zeljko Kalac.

Liechtenstein were expected to be easy beats but they took the lead after 8 minutes through an own goal by Lucas Neill. What should have been a straight forward clearance from a free kick, Neill headed straight past the sprawling Kalac into the back of his own net. It could have been worse after a defensive mix-up between the shaky Tony Popovic and Kalac nearly gifted Liechtenstein another.

Mile Sterjovski equalised for the Socceroos in the 19th minute stabbing home a Stan Lazaridis cross. However Australia could not find a way past the tiny nation, which has a population less than Bundaberg, despite numerous chances with Aloisi being the most wasteful.

There were some positives to take out of the game with Harry Kewell putting in an impressive 60 minutes before his replacement Josh Kennedy showed exactly why Hiddink decided to take him to Germany after 15 minutes. The towering Kennedy rose above two defenders to head home a Brett Emerton cross, displaying his aerial prowess which could be Australia’s trump card against Japan in five days time. John Aloisi then sealed the win by heading home a Sterjovski cross in the 83rd minute.

In the final minutes of the match, Hiddink sent on Mark Milligan, as well as training extras Neil Kilkenny and Kristian Sarkies for their international debuts. Kilkenny who could have also chosen to play internationally for England or Ireland is now only eligible to represent Australia after winning his first senior cap.

Coach Hiddink was not concerned his team looked flat just three days after its 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in Rotterdam.

"It is normal that we don't play as well as we did over there. There was a bit of a lack of concentration and we cannot afford to make those types of mistakes,'' he said.

The Dutchman felt his players improved in the second half after some tactical alterations.

"Well after that sloppy period in the beginning, we started to build up a little more pace in the second half especially with some changes on the left side and we went somewhat better," he said.

Hiddink was encouraged by Kewell's return from a groin injury but felt the Liverpool star still has room for improvement before the opening match with Japan.

"We planned to play him (for) an hour so he can practice again tomorrow and the day after.

"I hope, bit by bit, he recovers his strength because you need to be fit," Hiddink said.

"He did a rather good job but still has to find another 20 to 30 per cent more strength."

So what can the Australians take from this result against a team that is ranked outside the top 100:

- Mark Schwarzer is the No.1 goalkeeper and will start against Japan;
- Hiddink will revert to his trusted 4-2-3-1 formation against Japan;
- Josh Kennedy and Mile Sterjovski are proving to be very handy options to have in the squad;
- Kennedy could pose some real problems in the air against Japan
- Let’s hope Tony Popovic is an unused substitute in Germany, Ljubo Milicevic should have been in the squad instead; and
- Forgot the result there will be six changes to the team that takes on Japan on Monday, the real starting XI.

Australia line-up: Zeljko Kalac (gk); Lucas Neill, Craig Moore (Michael Beauchamp), Tony Popovic; Brett Emerton, Josip Skoko (Kristian Sarkies), Tim Cahill (Mark Milligan), Stan Lazaridis (Archie Thompson); Mile Sterjovski (Neil Kilkenny), Harry Kewell (Joshua Kennedy); John Aloisi.

Subs not used: Mark Schwarzer (gk).