The road to Rio continues to run smoothly for the Qantas Socceroos after they made it three wins from as many starts with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Oman in the World Cup qualifier at ANZ Stadium on Tuesday.
The road to Rio continues to run smoothly for the Qantas Socceroos after they made it three wins from as many starts with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Oman in the World Cup qualifier at ANZ Stadium on Tuesday.
Holger Osieck's men could now need as little as one point from their remaining three games to ensure a safe passage through to the next stage of qualifying for the 2014 finals in Brazil.
Goals to Brett Holman, Josh Kennedy and Mile Jedinak settled the issue before a crowd of almost 25,000.
This was an assured and clinical performance from a Socceroos side missing four of their biggest names in Mark Schwarzer, Tim Cahill, Brett Emerton and Harry Kewell.
Oman coach Paul le Guen made it clear in his pre-match address that he thought winning was out of the question, openly conceding the visitors would gladly settle for a point after a disastrous campaign to date.
Apart from the odd counter-attack, the Omanis rarely threatened Australian goalkeeper Adam Federici, who apart from an excellent one-handed save from a free kick had little to do.
The home side was a goal to the good after just eight minutes, setting the scene for a dominant performance.
Rhys Williams' cross from out wide on the right was deflected by the Oman defence into the path of Matt McKay on the edge of the box.
The former Brisbane Roar skipper hit a low, first-time pass on his left foot into the path of a sliding Holman.
The striker only had to make contact from close range to claim his eighth international goal.
Holman could have finished with two or three more so enterprising was his work up front.
One delightful move just before half-time stood out.
Holman stepped over Williams' pass and was there to receive McKay's first-time ball in space.
The finish failed to match the build-up, however, with Holman blasting well over the bar after looking the keeper in the eye.
The impressive McKay went close to claiming his first goal in Australian colours soon after, smacking a volley a metre above the crossbar.
Josh Kennedy received a yellow card just before the break but it was the only real blemish on a polished first half performance from the home side.
The Socceroos were wasteful early in the second half but finally made their dominance count on 65 minutes.
The effervescent Holman pounced on such some sluggish Oman defence to pinch the ball inside the box and pass immediately to Luke Wilkshire.
Wilkshire's shot was saved but the rebound fell to Kennedy who smashed the ball home for his eighth goal in five games.
Jedinak entered his name on the scoresheet with a well-taken goal five minutes from time, steering home Wilkshire's free kick after the ball found him unmarked and in acres of space inside the box.
The Socceroos can secure their place in the next round of qualifying with victory - or possibly just a draw - against Oman in Muscat on November 11.
Australia 3 (Holman 8m, Kennedy 65m, Jedinak 85m) Oman 0
Crowd: 24,372