A spot in the AFC Asian Cup final was on the line as Australia took on the UAE. And Newcastle Stadium was packed — mostly with green and gold— as the the host Socceroos looked to book their spot in the title match.
Australia advanced to this stage by beating China in the quarterfinals. The UAE defeated defending champion Japan in the last eight.
And the Socceroos gave the home crowd something to cheer about after just three minutes, as defender Trent Sainsbury headed in a corner to make it 1-nil.
The UAE had a chance to equalize in the 10th minute, but Ahmed Khalil hit the outside of the post with his shot.
Four minutes later, Australia pressed for a second, and after some good defending by the UAE, was able to score as Jason Davidson knocked the ball into the net. The fullback was at the right spot at the right time to put his side in control.
It 2-0 through halftime; in the 51st minute Ahmed Khalil had another opportunity to put UAE on the scoreboard, but his ambitious strike was just wide of a diving Mathew Ryan.
Australia had a chance for a third in the 85th minute, but Tomi Urich pushed his shot just wide. It did not matter as the night belonged to the Socceroos, who advanced to the final with a 2-0 victory.
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