Cahill gives Australia win over UAE in World Cup qualifier

By JOHN DUERDEN 07 September 2016, 12:00AM

Tim Cahill came off the bench to give Australia a 1-0 win over the United Arab Emirates in the third round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old midfielder drilled home a Brad Smith cross from close range with 10 minutes remaining in Abu Dhabi. The Socceroos made it two wins from two games to go top of Group B, ahead of Saudi Arabia on goal difference.

"We justifiably took the three points in difficult conditions," said Australia coach Ange Postecoglou, referring to pre-match temperatures of almost 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). "It was a good performance."

The top two teams in Groups A and B will qualify automatically for the World Cup, with the two third-place teams going to a fourth-round match to decide which of them makes the intercontinental playoffs.

-AP

By JOHN DUERDEN 07 September 2016, 12:00AM
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