Sydney FC star Brett Emerton returned to the Qantas Socceroos starting XI last night and set up the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Thailand that has sent Australia through to the final stage of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Sydney FC star Brett Emerton returned to the Qantas Socceroos starting XI last night and set up the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Thailand that has sent Australia through to the final stage of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Emerton was reinstated to the right hand side of midfield following Australia-s indifferent display in losing 1-0 to Oman on Saturday and set up the winner with a pin point cross to Brett Holman in the 76th minute.
The victory sees Australia ease through to the final round of World Cup qualifying with a game to spare, accumulating 12 out of a possible 15 points from the opening five games. The final qualifier against Saudi Arabia in February is now academic with Australia-s passage assured as winner of Group D.
Emerton-s cross, which was delivered right onto the head of Socceroos Man of the Moment Holman, was one of a series of crosses the Sky Blues midfielder sent into the Thailand penalty box, most notably for striker Josh Kennedy.
Emerton will now board a plane back to Sydney where he will train with the squad on Friday before taking his place in the Sydney FC side to take on the Central Coast Mariners at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday. Kick off is 7.45pm.
