Asian Cup Quarter Final Match: Two Taggart Goals in Final Ten Minutes Sees Socceroos In Semis

The following article provides an oversight for matches and tournaments taking place in 2020.

Asian Cup Quarter Final Match: Australia v Iran

Two Taggart Goals in Final Ten Minutes Sees Socceroos In Semis

January 21st, 2020

Australia 2 Iran 0

 

A grand display by Adam Taggart in the final ten minutes of the Quarter Final gave Australia the edge over Iran.

 

Iran maintained their usual line-up, while Craig Goodwin was brought in for Massimo Luongo.

 

Iran had the first shot on goal in the thirteenth minute via Mohammad Mohebi, only for Mathew Ryan to parry the ball away.

 

In the next passage of play, Sardar Azmoun found Mohebi with a chip pass, only it was slightly behind him and he could not readjust in time, with his flailing hand touching the ball.

 

Azmoun then stole the ball from the Socceroos defence and shot, but Ryan had it easily covered.

 

Azmoun had another chance in the 33rd minute when he cut between the Australian defence with his run; however, the ball bobbled at his feet and his shot stunted into the ground first and to the right of goal.

 

Little happened for the remainder of the first half as neither side gave the other room to effectively pounce on goal.

 

Finally, Australia attacked with vigour, buoyed by Aaron Mooy after his poor first-half efforts. Taggart won a free kick near the semicircle. Mooy stepped up to take the free kick, only for it to fly over the bar.

 

Mooy then found Taggart with a looping pass, and up stepped Alireza Beiranvand, collecting the ball with his two hands.

 

Again, with Mooy at the epicentre, a cross came from the left wing to Mathew Leckie on the right, only his shot was blocked hard.

 

Working down the right wing, Tom Rogic’s cross did not initially find Goodwin, but he found it eventually and Beiranvand was needed to make a great save.

 

Mohebi had a chance in the 78th minute, only to miss to the left after he tapped the ball out of reach of the Australian defence and fired for goal.

 

Immediately, Australia countered down the right wing. James Jeggo passed through to Leckie, who ran on and crossed to Taggart. The striker made no mistake with his head and the Socceroos had the lead.

 

Mooy unfortunately left the ground with a calf injury, possibly opening up a chance for the Iranians. Instead, Australia countered, with Taggart on a long run before circling around the marking man and snagging his second goal for the match.

 

The whistle blew soon after and the Socceroos celebrated their advance into the Semi Finals, where they take on South Korea. Iran, meanwhile, will have to adjust their attacking as well as key defensive line-up when they return for the March World Cup Qualifiers.

 

Important aspects of the match:

Australia showed their fitness dominance and having the extra sixteen hours’ preparation time and rest may have proved the difference.

 

Australia’s best: Jeggo with the most passes and dribbles for Australia, as well as six key intercepts and a clearance; Taggart with his two goals; Trent Sainsbury in central defence with the most tackles overall, four key intercepts and two clearances; Leckie with his assist.

 

Iran’s best: Ahmad Nourollahi with most passes overall including two key passes; Mehdi Torabi; Mohebi with most dribbles overall.