After the Socceroos’ opening World Cup
qualifier in Kyrgyzstan, their next away assignment was an encounter with the equally
post-Soviet republic of Tajikistan. The venue was the Pamir Stadium in
Dushanbe, one of those stadia surrounded by an athletics track that one sees in
those sorts of countries.
Tajikistan had been the scene of civil
unrest in the lead-up to the match, and the pitch was surrounded by men in
forest green military fatigues. With the home team anchored by a core of
club-mates from Istiqlol Dushanbe, the Socceroos found it difficult to convert
their high tally of early set pieces into goals. It was easy enough to dribble
through the Tajik midfield, but the hosts’ sterling defence showed no sign of
letting up.
Melbourne City’s Aaron Mooy was ubiquitous,
constantly testing the Persian Lions’ defence with his set pieces, before a
corner led to a goal-mouth scramble in the fifty-seventh minute, Mark Milligan
slotting home the ball after it appeared to ricochet off the back of a Tajik
defender. When in possession, шери порси
were inventive, but could never quite put the visitors under enough pressure to
threaten an upset, though los
australianos had their own problems adjusting to the artificial turf – a
far cry from the pock-marked pitch they endured in Bishkek.
His job done, Mooy was substituted off
eleven minutes later, and shortly afterwards a Ryan McGowan cross found Tim
Cahill, who put the ‘Roos 2-0 up. Tractor Boy Tommy Oar came on for Mathew
Leckie, and soon made it three by crossing and thereby facilitating a Cahill
header with seconds of normal time remaining.
