They have to win to qualify. All we have to do is avoid defeat. That can be a dangerous situation, because plans can become muddled. They have a clear objective, we can take one of two paths. Glad to hear the coach saying he wants a win.
It looks like there is 15 people there. And it's raining. Not the weather you'd associate with the Middle East.
Australia is full strength, except for Wilkshire, Carney and Culina. Matt McKay at left back, Jade North on the right, Valeri in the guts.
Australia had two early chances - Emerton hooked one right while Cahill was forced wide with the keeper way off his line.
It is really teeming down - it's bizarre. I've watched my fair share of football over there and I've never seen it rain like this.
Bahrain fancy McKay - he is not a natural full back by any measure. Bring back Chippers!
South Korea are already 2-O up v India. Its only been 10 minutes.
Both coaches are rocking baseball caps - funny as.
India scored against South Korea - kinda wish I was watching that game.
Australia is lacking precision with the ball. Defence looks a bit shaky too. I have a nasty, sinking feeling.
Bahrain are really testing McKay. If they get something, it will be from there. 15 mins gone. Bahrain on points.
We are missing Culina - he starts things out of defence and is the team's best passer.
Cahill sprays one wide off a cheap turnover. If our midfield loses the battle, we are in real trouble.
25 gone. South Korea are up 3-1. Kewell and Holman botched a give-and-go in promising position.
Nothing here, yet. Kewell handball. Luckily, it was in their penalty area.
Jedinak flashes one over from range. Would have been a nicer one than he got against Korea.
Bahrain hit the post from a real tight angle. Kewell saved. Holman nipped in and stole it, then teed him up. Good stop. The cliche I was looking for was the game has come alive. I beat the TV commentator to it by 30-odd seconds.
Kewell plays in Holman, but the shot has no venom. 35 gone.
Jedinak puts us ahead! Unbelievable strike. Pumped it across his body from long, long range into the opposite corner. Keeper had no chance.
Now Australia have a free kick in handy range. Jedinak again ... Almost the same result. Keeper had to tip it around.
Mood has changed - Australia were looking shaky but the wondergoal has flattened the Gulf State.
Emerton got a silly yellow - he will be suspended for the quarter-final. Pity. He has been one of our best this tournament.
Possession split is 62-38. Guess I should spend more time watching, less time writing.
Halftime. 1-0 here, 3-1 in South Korea's game. If it stays like that, Australia top the group on goal difference. South Korea need another two without us scoring again to vault to the top. Australia can't put the cue in the rack.
Shit. Lleyton Hewitt lost to Nalbandian 9-7 in the fifth set. He should have wrapped it up in the fourth.
The crowd has increased to 20. Holman tries a repeat of his goal from the World Cup. Didn't work.
Great save by Schwarzer from distance. We are lucky to have him. If we had a suspect keeper, we would be in trouble.
Cahill heads wide after a big mistake from the far-more-suspect Bahrain keeper. Both were probably entitled to do better.
Bahraini Jaycee John blasts one wide from good position. Hmmm. I imagine he doesn't have any relos in his national team.
Tim Cahill has tracked back to his own penalty area. Fair indication of how under the pump Australia is right now. 60 gone.
Bahrain have earned a heap of corners, but are wasting them. Australia's turn. Guys in red deal with it okay.
Kewell has a penalty shout turned down. At the other end, only Schwarzer's legs save Australia.
Australia really need a goal. Another Bahrain corner. They botched it. Socceroos are really under the pump.
Fortunately for them, the opposition lack the cutting edge in the front third. Another cliche I beat the TV commentator to buy a minute.
I have a headache. I want this game to end. 20 to go. Well-timed tackle by Ogenovski - if he got it wrong, penalty.
No changes yet ... that says something about Osieck's lack of faith in the fringe players.
Scott McDonald? Really? I don't think a change up top is the solution ... for one, Australia have barely been out of their half. The midfield is the drama. Harry Kewell is the one dragged.
The crowd announcer claims there is nearly 4000 people there. Shenanigans.
Neil Kilkenny is on for Jade North. Emmo drops to right back, newcomer into the midfield.
Bahrain now have the edge on possession ... that is how much they have dominated the second half. Still 3-1 in the other game. 10 mins to go.
Now South Korea get their fourth. Australia are still on top of the group, if not the match.
Five to go. Holman just shoved an opponent. Handbags afterward. Holman gets booked. He wasn't carrying a yellow in, so he's sweet for the next game.
Two minutes left ... Holger wants to put on Robbie Kruse but the fourth official's pen isn't working. Funny as.
Cahill's down with what looks like a cork. F*ck that noise, Jack. Cahill off for Kruse.
Four minutes injury time. It will feel like four years.
South Korea get a fifth. Mass confusion about who is top of the group.
Full time. 1-0. Rubbish second half from us - that sort of effort in the quarters will kill us.
Australia missed Culina big time - they turned over too much ball.
Emerton out for the knock-out phase will sting and Wilkshire will probably have to slot in there.
They need Carney back too - McKay did his best, but he isn't a fullback.
Still awaiting confirmation of the group winner - I suspect South Korea will be, because they scored one more goal v Bahrain. My headache is bad and I have to be up for work in five hours. Look it up yourself.
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