Wed 18th Apr 2007

It was a game of mixed emotions for Melbourne Victory defender Adrian Leijer overnight as the promising youngster captained the Qantas Under 23s for the first time, before being sent off as Australia suffered a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in Dammam.

Victory midfielder Leigh Broxham also featured in the 2008 Olympic Games qualifying match, which saw Australia take the lead courtesy of a striker from Newcastle Jets forward Mark Bridge, before two goals within eight minutes secured the win for the Saudis.

Saudi Arabia held the upper hand for lengthy periods of the match; however Australia took the lead moments before half time when Bridge volleyed the ball into the net after Bruce Djite headed down a cross from Kristian Sarkies.

The home side equalised from the penalty spot in the 58th minute as Leijer received his second caution for fouling an opponent and the Saudis took the lead soon after when a long ball over the defence left Australian goalkeeper Danny Vukovic with no chance.

Australia was denied a late equaliser with two minutes remaining at Prince Mohammad bin Fahad Stadium when Sarkies was ruled offside after finishing a cross from Bridge.

The result combined with a 3-0 win for Iran against Jordan sees Australia slip to third behind the Iranians on goal difference. Saudi Arabia is on top of Group D after four matches with nine points, ahead of Iran and Australia on five points, and Jordan on two points.

Australia will now face Iran in the penultimate group match at Hindmarsh Stadium on Wednesday 16th May.

Saudi Arabia 2 (Jaffin Al-Bishi 58’ pen, Youssef al-Salem 66’)
Australia 1 (Bridge 45’+1)

Australia: Danny Vukovic (gk), Ruben Zadkovich, Adrian Leijer (capt), Ben Griffin (Peter Eleftherakis 60’), Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Stuart Musialik, Kristian Sarkies, Leigh Broxham (Adam D’Apuzzo 63’), Bruce Djite (Nathan Burns 80’), Mark Bridge, James Troisi

Subs not used: Dario Vidosic, Troy Hearfield, Vince Lia, Tando Velaphi (gk)

Yellow cards: Leijer 8’, Griffin 40’, Zadkovich 56’, Musialik 70’

Red cards: Leijer 58’

Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)