Australia set up a tasty Asian Cup quarter-final clash against South Korea or Saudi Arabia with a 4-0 win over a spirited but limited Indonesia on Jan 28.
Midfielder Jackson Irvine said they "just had too much for" Tim Garuda, noting: "We knew Indonesia had nothing to lose. In the first half they caused us some problems with their energy and intensity, but I think our experience and professionalism shone thorough in the second half. We just had too much for them on the day. That's the kind of team we want to be: experienced, see the game out and get the goals at the end to seal a good performance."
The Socceroos are trying to win the title for a second time and were again solid rather than spectacular in getting the job done in a niggly last-16 encounter in Doha.
Said coach Graham Arnold: "You've got to give credit to Indonesia. I thought Indonesia played very well and I have been saying it for a few years now back in Australia that Asian football is coming along a lot.
"Indonesia tested us, it wasn't an easy game. The 4-0 result may look like that but it wasn't.
Denne historien er fra January 29, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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Denne historien er fra January 29, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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