Carney special stuns Nigeria

A magnificent goal from David Carney has earned Australia a 1-0 win over Nigeria at Craven Cottage in London.

A magnificent goal from David Carney has earned Australia a 1-0 win over Nigeria at Craven Cottage in London.

The Sheffield United midfielder-s 52nd minute strike continued his amazing rise with the national team and was again one of Australia-s best in the well deserved win.

Despite the disruption-s in the lead up to the match, Australia-s new look side played extremely well and again outlined the depth in the Qantas Socceroo squad.

Carney-s goal was a worthy winner of any game, picking up the ball 25 metres out, taking one touch and unleashing a swerving shot that gave Nigerian keeper Aiyenugba no chance.

“It set up nicely and I just whacked and thankfully it went in,” said Carney.

The match almost opened sensationally for Australia, when McDonald was presented with a great chance to open the scoring in the 3rd minute. However his header from Carney-s cross went wide with the goal open.

Kewell who was superb throughout the first half, showed his class in the 15th with a superb turn 25 metres out, but his shot went over the bar.

Emerton then saw a free kick turned away for a corner by Nigerian keeper Aiyenugba and then minutes later Kewell and McDonald were both thwarted by the keeper.

But while Australia was dominating, Nigeria often produced its moments of inspiration and had the better of the opportunities in the last 20 minutes.

Schwarzer made a world class save when he appeared wrong-footed after a shot deflected off Neill, but the Middlesbrough keeper somehow twisted his body and tipped the ball onto the top of the crossbar.

Carle was then denied by a first class save by Aiyenugba, while Luke Wilkshire was just wide to a shot from the edge of the box.

The last five minutes of the half belonged to Nigeria however and Schwarzer made two good saves.

Australia continued to dominate in the second half and Carney moving back into the left full back role in the second half was superb, while the midfield of Nick Carle, Carl Valeri and Harry Kewell in the hole were inventive and creating problems for the Nigerian defence.

Nigeria had its moments on the counter-attack, with one chance hitting the post, although Ache was offside in any case.

Match Details

Australia 1 (David Carney 52-) Nigeria 0

Australian line-up: Australia: Mark Schwarzer (gk); Brett Emerton, Lucas Neill, Michael Beauchamp, Scott Chipperfield (Jacob Burns 46-), Carl Valeri, Luke Wilskhire, David Carney, Nick Carle, Harry Kewell, Scott McDonald