Cahill comes to the rescue of Australia again

Australia have two men to thank for not having a first up loss to Oman at the 2007 Asian Cup, those two being Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer after the game finished 1-1. Cahill (whose name I have on the back of my Australian shirt) will get all the accolades for scoring another goal late on for his country but a lot of credit should go to Schwarzer who pulled off three fine saves in the second half to save his team's blushes. Oman hit the lead through a 32nd minute goal to Oman midfielder Badar Mubarak after well worked move down the left which left Australia's defense scrambling. Oman played out of its skin for most of the match and had the Australians stretching on a number occasions and were very solid at the back. Australia barely threatened a chance on shot on goal in the first half and failed to put any pressure on the Omanis in their own half. Overall, Australia didn't play that well, with Viduka well held. Questions about the defense still exist, with the Omanis having plenty of shots on goal, although the attack also looked uninspiring at times and very unimaginative. Again Australia has Cahill to thank again as he slammed home a rebound that came off the Omani keeper after he failed to hold a cracking Bresciano shot on goal. Australia will need to improve immensely to progress to the latter stages of the tournament as they are expected to do. This result leaves all teams in this group on 1 point after a 1-1 draw between hosts Thailand and Iraq last night.

Image "borrowed" from the AFC