Lucky Seven for the Socceroos

The Australian national side have taken an expected step forward in their bid for World Cup qualification with a highly convincing 7-0 trouncing of minnows Solomon Islands at Aussie Stadium tonight.

Mark Viduka, captain in the absence of Craig Moore, managed a brace of goals while further strikes from Culina, Cahill, Chipperfield, Thompson and Emerton gave the Socceroos an unassailable advantage going into the second leg in Honiara.

This was Guus Hiddink's very first match in charge and as expected the talented Dutch coach was implementing a new formation, a 5-3-2 with Chipperfield and Emerton acting as wingbacks allowing John Aloisi to partner Viduka in a daunting frontline.

Unsurprisingly the home side spent the majority of the match around the Solomon Islands goal but some resolute defending early on meant the opening goal took 21 minutes to arrive, though the quality of the strike meant it was certainly worth the wait.

Tim Cahill held the ball up well in the penalty area but after laying the ball back it was all about the finishing prowess of Jason Culina as the FC Twente star rifled home a first time effort from 20 yards to score the first of many in a prolific night for the Socceroos.

Scott Chipperfield soon had his effort parried by the Solomon Islands keeper Francis Aruwafu precipitating an intense goal mouth scramble but somehow the visitors were surviving with only the one goal deficit.

However if anyone was in doubt regarding the gulf in class between the two nations the proof soon arrived via a piece of majestic finishing by skipper Mark Viduka.

There seemed little danger following a Skoko pass with the ball dropping behind the Middlesbrough striker but with a moment of inspiration he delivered a wonderful overhead kick which flew past the goalkeeper to double the lead.

Number three was then on its way following some good work from Emerton down the right as Josip Skoko drifted in an intelligent ball which was guided home excellently by Mark Viduka for his second and Australia's third.

Halftime arrived and while the Solomon Islands would've have been dreaming of an unlikely comeback at the break their hopes were further dashed in the 54th minute when Nelson Sale was sent off for a second yellow card and the already impossible task got significantly tougher.

The Aussies made the numerical advantage count just 3 minutes afterwards though in truth the goal owed more to the goalkeeping deficiencies of Aruwafu.

Tim Cahill leapt well to meet a seemingly harmless cross but his relatively tame header should not of been able to squeeze into the back of net like it did and at 4-0 it was now just a case of damage limitation for the amateurs.

Bresciano and Thompson had entered the fray to give the Socceroos even more attacking outlets and the latter almost added a fifth with his first touch only for his flashing header to drift agonisingly wide.

The fifth goal did arrive though after more calamitous goalkeeping allowed Scott Chipperfield's long range drive to creep in and only four minutes later it'd be six.

This time the goal was of true international quality being provided by the in form Archie Thompson, as after controlling with one touch the Melbourne striker flicked the ball exquisitely over his marker and unleashed an unstoppable volley past a helpless Aruwafu into the top corner of the net.

Guus Hiddink will have been content with the scoreline but his new charges were still missing chance after chance until the 89th minute when Brett Emerton rounded off the scoring for an astonishing 7-0 lead.

Cutting inside as he had done all night the Blackburn winger fired a low left footed effort towards goal but once again had to be thankful to the opposing keeper for one of many terrible mistakes leading to Australian goals.

The 14,715 people on hand to watch the match on a rain soaked evening will have been delighted with the result, and Hiddink has had another chance to see his players combine in a new tactical system.

But all surrounding the Australian game are aware that this is not the true test of our footballing evolution, the real examination will be involving an imposing South American side and two November nights of destiny.

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