South Korea came into today's matchup with a chance to take first in the group. All they would need is a win against Kuwait and for Australia to draw or lose in the later match. For Kuwait, this was about survival. A second loss would eliminate them from the tournament, leaving a matchup against Oman for pride as a consolation. Korea came out swinging early testing Kuwaiti keeper Hameed Youseff who started the game by deflecting shots. It was in the 36th minute that a crossing ball would find the head of Nam Tae-hee who would redirect off of Yousseff and in. Kuwait would try to come back and almost did when in the second half Ali Al Maqseed's shot would beat Korean keeper Kim Seun-gyu but bounce off the far post. Maqseed almost scored again, finding his shot bending over the corner of the goal and out. Lee Keun-ho could have made it 2:0 but found his header going wide of goal. Substitute Bader Al Mutawa came close to tying the game off of a cheeky back heel but Seun-gyu would make the save. As a result, South Korea have booked a slot in the knockout rounds while Kuwait are making plans to go home.
Kuwait 0:1 Korea Republic
IoannesNix: Kuwait 0:1 Korea Republic **
Artifex: Kuwait 1:2 Korea Republic
Scriptor: Kuwait 0:2 Korea Republic
Quaesitor: Kuwait 3:1 Korea Republic
Praeceptor: Kuwait 1:0 Korea Republic
Australia found themselves with a chance to ensure a spot in the knockout rounds. All they needed was a win against Oman, who much like Kuwait were in a must-win scenario. Australian keeper Mat Ryan would be tested early off a corner kick, but would be up to the task of making the save. In the 27th minute Matt McKay would strike the ball up in front of goal beating Omani super keeper Ali Al Habsi. Just three minutes later a lovely through ball would find its way to Robbie Kruse who would coolly swat it past the keeper for a 2:0 lead. It seemed like Australia would be robbed of a third goal when a cross would fall to a wide open Mark Milligan whose volley would find the back of the net. It would be called off, but for a penalty against Oman when a defender brought down an Australian player right in front of goal. Milligan would step up and convert the penalty for the third goal. The fourth and final goal came in the 70th minute when Mathew Leckie's bending cross would find Tomi Juric for the score. The Socceroos would try for more goals, but they didn't need them. At 4:0 Australia sit atop the group with one game left to play. A battle with South Korea will be for top spot in the group, but both teams already know they are through to the Quarterfinals. Oman will try to right the ship and leave with a win when they face Kuwait.
Oman 0:4 Australia
IoannesNix: Oman 0:2 Australia
Artifex: Oman 0:3 Australia
Scriptor: Oman 0:3 Australia
Quaesitor: Oman 1:3 Australia
Praeceptor: Oman 0:1 Australia
Some Notes:
Yesterday's Bonus Bonanza was an open choice question. The best answer befell to Artifex for bigging up Scriptor. Well done.
Australia are the hosts of the Asian Cup, but they aren't actually Asian. A formal change from one association to another has allowed them to be, well, half Asian. IoannesNix is also half Asian, therefore the TSzAL have awarded a bonus point to her.
Kuwait have found their way out of the tournament. As a result, Praeceptor has lost out on one of her Quarterfinalists, but as she did not have Kuwait advancing to the semifinal round, it won't cost her much. As for Quaesitor, he picked the Kuwaitis to finish Fourth. Tough luck, son.
STANDINGS:
14/5
11/3
9/1
5/2 YC
1/0 YC
We are approaching the halfway mark of the tournament. The lead at the top seems to be widening. Get on it competitors, or this will be a runaway.
The Grand Salmon Alpaca
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