Australia (3) v (7) Scotland
By Fiona CrawfordREIGNING champions Scotland moved one step closer to defending their title with a convincing 7-3 victory over Australia in the Group B match played at Federation Square this afternoon.
Sitting in second place coming into the match, Scotland were hoping to secure the top position with a win.
Despite the suffocating summer heat, the Scots entered the stadium wearing Socceroos jerseys over their uniforms as a gesture of good will to the home team.
Paul Deeney opened the scoring with two almost identical goals delivered low and to the left.
Australia's Coen Slaughter answered with a calculated shot slotted through the keeper's legs.
Stephen Maloney gave Australia a second goal before the Scots could recover, levelling the score.
Scotland pulled away with another two goals to put them 4-2 up.
The Street Socceroos scored a third goal that was disallowed as it was deemed to have been scored after the half-time whistle had been blown.
A live bagpipe rendition of Waltzing Matilda provided the half-time entertainment, before the two teams headed back to tussle it out.
Scotland extended their lead by four goals with a second-half Alec Wade hat trick.
The Australians fought to the end, though, with Maloney seizing on a crossbar rebound to drive in Australia's third and final goal.
Photos: Photoworx
