Socceroos make light work of Oman
Australia warmed up for the start of their Asian Cup campaign with a comfortable 5-0 win over Oman.
The Socceroos made light work of the opposition in Dubai, going three goals up in the opening 23 minutes.
It was an encouraging performance in what was keeper Mat Ryan's 50th appearance for the Socceroos, with Chris Ikonomidis netting his first international goal.
The Perth Glory striker netted either side of efforts from Andrew Nabbout and Awer Mabil. Milos Degenek also scored his maiden international goal after the break, before Jackson Irvine completed the rout late on.
A mistake in the Oman defence allowed Nabbout to break the deadlock in the 10th minute when he slid home from close range.
Four minutes later it was 2-0 as Ikonomidis fired a half-volley in off the post.
The third arrived when Mabil soon prodded home after a seemingly innocuous Aziz Behich cross found its way into his path.
Oman keeper Faiz Al-Rushaidi did well to tip over a free-kick from Mabil on the hour mark, but he was then out of luck from the resulting corner.
Degenek, who has been in superb form for Serbian club Red Star Belgrade latched onto Ikonomidis' corner, producing a clever flicked finish into the far corner.
He described his first Socceroos goal as "really special", adding: "I just tried to get something on it to flick it back post and see where it ended up and it ended up in the goal.
"It's an unbelievable feeling [to score]. Obviously my 20th game for the country, my first goal. Especially leading up to the Asian Cup, it gives me a lot of confidence - I hit the bar against Lebanon in Sydney and now I have scored, it feels good."
Australia are 6/1 to win the Asian Cup, with Japan 9/2 and South Korea 4/1.
View all Soccer betting
Australia warmed up for the start of their Asian Cup campaign with a comfortable 5-0 win over Oman.
The Socceroos made light work of the opposition in Dubai, going three goals up in the opening 23 minutes.
It was an encouraging performance in what was keeper Mat Ryan's 50th appearance for the Socceroos, with Chris Ikonomidis netting his first international goal.
The Perth Glory striker netted either side of efforts from Andrew Nabbout and Awer Mabil. Milos Degenek also scored his maiden international goal after the break, before Jackson Irvine completed the rout late on.
A mistake in the Oman defence allowed Nabbout to break the deadlock in the 10th minute when he slid home from close range.
Four minutes later it was 2-0 as Ikonomidis fired a half-volley in off the post.
The third arrived when Mabil soon prodded home after a seemingly innocuous Aziz Behich cross found its way into his path.
Oman keeper Faiz Al-Rushaidi did well to tip over a free-kick from Mabil on the hour mark, but he was then out of luck from the resulting corner.
Degenek, who has been in superb form for Serbian club Red Star Belgrade latched onto Ikonomidis' corner, producing a clever flicked finish into the far corner.
He described his first Socceroos goal as "really special", adding: "I just tried to get something on it to flick it back post and see where it ended up and it ended up in the goal.
"It's an unbelievable feeling [to score]. Obviously my 20th game for the country, my first goal. Especially leading up to the Asian Cup, it gives me a lot of confidence - I hit the bar against Lebanon in Sydney and now I have scored, it feels good."
Australia are 6/1 to win the Asian Cup, with Japan 9/2 and South Korea 4/1.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com
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