SYDNEY - Australia qualified for the 2014 World Cup by beating Iraq 1-0 on Tuesday, with Josh Kennedy heading home the winner in the 83rd minute to reward a bold substitution by coach Holger Osieck. Osieck made the surprising decision to take off veteran Tim Cahill and replace him with Kennedy, and the decision paid dividends when Mark Bresciano chipped a cross into the box, where the tall striker took advantage of lax marking to head past Noor Sabri in the Iraq goal. The goal sparked euphoria among the sodden but exultant home crowd of 80,523, curing the heightening anxiety among fans as the minutes ticked by without Australia being able to find a way through Iraqs defence. A draw would have left Australia at the mercy of the outcome of the Jordan-Oman game later in the day, with a likely relegation to third place in the group and a further playoff round. Jordan beat Oman 1-0 to finish third in the group and book its place in the Asian zone playoff against Uzbekistan. Kennedys goal meant Australia qualified directly for its third straight World Cup. "Im proud of everybody," said captain Lucas Neill. "Its been a really tough campaign. Weve stuck at it, showed mental strength. "Sorry, it wasnt pretty. But weve beaten what was in front of us and pushed ourselves on to a very exciting tournament." The Socceroos won just one of their first six games in the final stage of Asian qualifying, putting their Brazil ambitions in jeopardy, but home wins over Jordan and Iraq delivered a place in Brazil for the veteran squad, which includes Bresciano, Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill and Cahill in the twilight of their careers. "The boys did really well in the final stage of the campaign, it was a great effort," said Osieck. "We really grew together as a team, we presented ourselves as a unit, and the reward today was that we could qualify for the World Cup." "It gave me a beautiful feeling and I must admit that Im proud to be part of this. "I know theres going to be a tough year ahead but tonight we have the right and privilege to enjoy our qualification." Australia started the game positively and had the first good scoring chance in the third minute with Cahill stinging the palms of Iraqi keeper Abbas Noors goal from 10 metres, after some clever build up play from winger Robbie Kruse. In the 15th minute Sasa Ognenovski spurned a good chance when he headed over the bar from fellow central defender Neills chipped cross. Cahill too had a good chance when Matt McKays cross from the left floated over the defence to the back post, and Cahills acrobatic effort to hook the ball over his left shoulder went just wide. Iraq, missing several of its best players, managed just one shot in the opening half which failed to test Schwarzer. The former Asian champions qualifying hopes ended last week in a defeat to already-qualified Japan in Doha, and they missed captain and striker Younis Mahmood and veteran midfielder organizer Nashat Akram, who didnt travel to Australia. The visitors started the second half brightly with midfielder Saif Salman forcing Schwarzer to dive to his left to stop his low drive from 25 metres. In the 57th minute, Bresciano shot narrowly over from just outside the box as the hosts looked to up the pressure on the Iraq backline. Australia named an unchanged lineup for the third successive game after an impressive 1-1 draw away to Japan and a 4-0 rout of Jordan in Melbourne last week. On the hour Australia coach Holger Oseick brought on Glasgow Celtics Tom Rogic for Brett Holman and the change almost paid immediate dividends with Rogic bursting into the box, but he miscued his shot. Australia put the ball in the net in the 65th minute, but Kruses volley from outside the box was disallowed by Iranian referee Faghani Alireza who saw a foul by Ognenovski in the lead up. Australia continued to press but couldnt find the breakthrough, prompting Osieck to substitute Cahill for Nagoya Grampus striker Kennedy. Cahill was less than impressed with the decision, storming past the German coach to take his place on the bench, but the substitution proved inspiring. "You have to understand that no player wants to come off but its my prerogative as a coach to substitute players," said Osieck "You can see that after the game he was one of the happiest players, he even sat on my shoulders. But hes a lightweight, if it had been (Sasa) Ognenovski it would have been a different matter." The hosts survived some nervous final minutes as Iraq pressed forward and created opportunities, but some last-ditch defending preserved the famous victory. Iraq coach Vladimir Petrovic paid credit to Australia and was pleased with the efforts of a largely second-string young team. "I want to say well done to Australia for qualifying for the World Cup," he said. "We have young players that proved today that they can do the job. The luck wasnt with us." Fake Yeezy 950 .Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that J. Fake Yeezy Boost 700 . The Swede became the first golfer to win the PGA Tours FedEx Cup and European Tours Race to Dubai in the same season. "It is still taking a little time to sink in what Ive achieved this week as was the case when I won the FedEx Cup but then it just kept getting better and better as the days went on and I am sure this will be the same," he said. http://www.fakeyeezysforsale.com/ . The Clippers were angry about blowing a big lead; the Kings didnt like being in that kind of hole and nearly digging themselves out only to lose. Fake Yeezys Outlet . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. Fake Yeezy 451 . -- The boos poured down on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at the end of a horrible first half. PORTLAND, Ore. -- James Harden easily exposed Portlands struggles on defense.Harden had 38 points and 10 assists for his seventh consecutive double-double, and the Houston Rockets beat the Trail Blazers 130-114 on Sunday night. It was his 14th double-double this season.His mentality?Make the right play, thats all, he said.As a point guard Im going to see a lot of defenses, so Ive just got to figure out what theyre doing and how to attack it and just go from there.Eric Gordon added 26 points including six 3-pointers for the Rockets, who have made at least 10 3-pointers in 16 straight games to match the NBA record set by the Warriors and Cavaliers last season. They finished the night with 17.Gordons 3-pointer gave the Rockets a 104-95 lead with just over 10 minutes left in the game. Damian Lillards 3-pointer and Mason Plumlees reverse layup closed the gap to 104-100, but the Blazers couldnt get closer and Trevor Ariza hit a 3 from the corner to put the Rockets up 111-100.CJ McCollum scored 28 points and Lillard had 27 for the Blazers, who have lost six of their last eight games. Portland gave up 30 or more points to the Rockets in each quarter.Theyre a difficult team to guard, Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. I think James does a great job of playing the game and figuring out what needs to be done.The Rockets attempted an NBA-record 50 3-pointers and made 21 in a 117-104 victory at Sacramento on Friday night to open a five-game road trip. Harden had 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.First-year Houston coach Mike DAntoni said he feels like the Rockets are finding a groove in his system.I think theyre getting more comfortable with how were doing things. Theyre moving the ball a little better, DAntoni said. We can still do better.The Blazers beat New Orleans 119-104 at home on Friday night after struggling on a 1-4 road trip. Portland is missing starting forward Al-Farouq Aminu, who has been sidelined for more than two weeks with a calf injury. Ed Davis starrted in his place against the Rockets.ddddddddddddLillard and McCollum combined for 20 points as the teams finished the first quarter knotted at 35. The Rockets went on a 9-0 run late in the second and led 65-62 at the half, paced by Hardens 21 points.Ryan Anderson hit a 3-pointer that made it 83-75 for the Rockets, who led by as many as 10 points in the third quarter. The Blazers pressured, coming within 94-93 late after Lillard made a pair of free throws.Harden finished with five 3-pointers.Right now were not getting it done on the defensive end, Lillard said. I think thats what it comes down to. You look at the Cleveland game, we scored 120-something points and we lose. Thats a lot of points to score and not win the game. Tonight we had 114 and we lose. Obviously were capable of scoring, were going to put points on the board, but weve got to find a way to come up with more stops and be more consistent.TIP-INSRockets: Rookie Kyle Wiltjer has been traveling with the Rockets, although he hasnt played. Wiltjer, who went undrafted out of Gonzaga, is a Portland native and played for Jesuit High School, helping the team to three straight Oregon state championships.Trail Blazers: Through its first 19 games, Portland has made more than 200 3-pointers, more than any Blazers team in franchise history. The Blazers have 209 total.SCORING IS NOT THE ISSUEPortland has scored at least 100 points in 17 of 19 games this season.GORDONS GAMEGordon was just one off his season high for points.I just got off to a great start, he said. I know when I get off to a great start everything comes easier and more comfortable We just played well as a team, we moved the ball and did everything we needed to do to win.UP NEXTRockets: Houston visits the Jazz on Tuesday.Trail Blazers: Portland hosts the Pacers and former Blazers coach Nate McMillan on Wednesday. ' ' '
