Australia will take a 1-0 lead to Uruguay following this morning's World Cup qualifying first-leg victory over the South American qualifiers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. A Kevin Muscat penalty eleven minutes from time separated the sides following a tense encounter, with chances for both sides few and far between.
The 85,000 strong Melbourne crowd endured some anxious moments as the composed Uruguayans defended superbly and attempted to snatch a vital away goal on the break through the pace and skill of Alvaro Recoba and Federico Magallanes. However, the Socceroos will take a precious lead to Montevideo later this week thanks to Wolves defender Muscat, who turned from villain to hero following his horror tackle on France's Christophe Dugarry on November 11.
Australia's Leeds duo Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka were largely ineffective as the Uruguay defence stood strong throughout, with centre back Paolo Montero particularly impressive. Uruguay midfielder Gonzalo de los Santos could have put the visitors in front after the interval but he headed wide from Recoba's free-kick, while Recoba also went close with a number of testing long range efforts.
Having weathered that early second half storm, Frank Farina's side began to exert more pressure and were almost rewarded for their new-found ambition in the 69th minute when sub Agostino hit the post with a 12 yard header from Kewell's cross. Agostino was, however, involved in the home side's opener when he was pulled back by Montero in the 79th minute as he ran onto another Kewell cross.
Muscat kept his nerve in front of the expectant home crowd to send Uruguay 'keeper Fabian Carini the wrong way, and despite some late pressure, Australia held on to give them a glimmer of hope of qualifying for their first World Cup Finals.
Afterwards, Socceroos coach Frank Farina warned that Australia's World Cup job is only half done. Keeping in mind the disappointment they suffered four years ago in the play-off against Iran for France 98, Farina is cautious about the slender advantage his team holds going into the second-leg in Montevideo on Sunday.
"It's only half-time, so I'm not getting too excited about it. I was asked at a previous press conference if I would be happy with 1-0 and I said I would settle for that straightaway. But, as I said, there are still 90 minutes to go in an atmosphere which will be hostile, if not worse," explained the Australian coach.
Filed by Shane Murray & Amanda Fennelly
