Australia counts cost of progress at Asian Cup

DOHA, Qatar (AP): Australia is counting the cost of its progress to the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup after Tim Cahill limped off with a thigh injury and Brett Emerton picked up a suspension against Bahrain.

Emerton's second booking of the tournament means the Blackburn midfielder will definitely miss Saturday's match, while Cahill, who has been leading Australia's attack, was injured in a challenge right at the end of Tuesday's game.

Asked if the injury might be serious enough to keep him out of the quarterfinals, Cahill replied: "I honestly don't know. I took a few knocks and hopefully I'll pull through in three days."

A 1-0 win over Bahrain was enough for Australia to finish top of Group C ahead of South Korea, and avoid a meeting with Iran.

Holger Osieck's side will now meet Iraq, North Korea or the United Arab Emirates.

However, in what is becoming a common theme at the tournament, Osieck will again have to make at least one change to his side in the absence of Emerton.

David Carney was only fit enough for a place on the bench against Bahrain, meaning midfielder Matt McKay had to fill in at left back, and Jason Culina, Luke Wilkshire and Nathan Burns all sat out the game with injuries or illness.

On a more positive note, Mile Jedinak scored the winner against Bahrain four days after netting his first international goal against South Korea and the midfielder, who plays his club football in Turkey, said the squad was strong enough to cope with any absences.

"Whoever is coming in or missing out, we all have to step up," he said. "That's the best thing about this squad. Everyone knows it's all for one, one for all."

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was given the man of the match award after making several saves to preserve Australia's lead against Bahrain, and the Fulham stopper admitted his side was yet to show its true potential.

"Not at all," he said. "We played reasonably well in the first half against India. Against South Korea, we played a good game overall, and against Bahrain, it was a very difficult game.

"With the conditions and everything else, the quality wasn't up to our normal standards. But I'd much prefer that and to get through so we can build on that and make sure we hit some form in the next couple of games."

Australia's players have been keen to drum home the point that they are not underestimating any opponent at the Asian Cup after a chastening experience on its debut four years ago, when it was surprisingly beaten by eventual winner Iraq in the quarterfinals.

Schwarzer insisted that finishing top of the group and avoiding Iran in the last eight was not a particular goal for the players.

"It doesn't matter who we play. We've said that from day one," he said. "We'll work on whatever opponent we come up against and we'll show them the respect that they deserve."