Australia 2-1 Serbia: Socceroos Go Home Despite Victory

Posted Thursday, June 24, 2010 by Goal.com

Australia's World Cup dream has come to an end, despite beating Serbia 2-1 in Nelspruit. Both teams are out of the tournament following Germany's 1-0 win against Ghana.

The Europeans dominated play in the first half, but failed to convert any of the chances they created. Australia then took over the initiative after the break and eventually picked up a 2-1 victory.

Serbia started brightly and Milos Krasic came close to opening the scoring after only six minutes of play. The tricky winger went by his opponent down the right wing before firing in a powerful shot at the near post. Mark Schwarzer was alert though and tapped the ball wide for a corner kick.

Again Krasic should have broken the deadlock after a quick counterattack through the centre. Nikola Zigic reached Krasic inside the area and the CSKA Moscow star got past the Australian goalie, but eventually blasted the ball wide from a narrow angle.

The White Eagles continued to dominate and midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic opted to test Schwarzer with a shot from inside the area after an intelligent run forward without the ball. Nevertheless, his shot sailed wide at the far post.

Chelsea star Branislav Ivanovic surprised the Australian defence midway through the first half when he burst into the Socceroos' area and unleashed a powerful shot from six yards out, only to see Schwarzer pull off a magnificent save to keep the score level.

Australia created their first good chance minutes after the half hour mark. Mark Bresciano floated in a perfect cross from the left and Tim Cahill beat his marker to the ball before heading the ball just wide.

Kuzmanovic got some time and space to send in a cross from the right wing and the Stuttgart starlet found Zigic at the penalty spot with his precise pass. However, the former Valencia star aimed his header wide of the target.

Australia 2-1 Serbia: Socceroos Go Home Despite Victory

The first good chance of the second half fell to Serbia. Milan Jovanovic found Zigic inside the Australian box, but the towering striker aimed too high and blasted the ball over the bar.

A cleared set piece ended up in the feet of Jason Culina 25 yards out and the former PSV star tried his luck with an ambitious long range strike, which went just wide of the target.

Bresciano then almost opened the scoring at the hour mark. The attacking midfielder unleashed a ferocious long range strike from a free kick, but Stojkovic deflected the ball wide for a corner kick.

Again Bresciano tested Stojkovic with a powerful shot from the edge of the area, but the Serbian goalkeeper made a superb save to deny the gifted midfielder.

The Socceroos took the lead after 69 minutes of play. An outstanding cross from the right found the head of the Tim Cahill and the Everton star found the net with a superb header.

Substitute Brett Holman doubled the Socceroos' lead only minutes after the opener. The AZ star picked up a loose ball in midfield before starting a surging run from midfield. The Serbian defence allowed Holman too much space and the attacking midfielder fired home from 25 yards out.

The Serbians didn't give up though and pegged one back in the 84th minute. Schwarzer failed to hold on to Zoran Tosic' long range strike and Ajax star Marko Pantelic was alert to tap home the rebound.

Pantelic then thought he had drawn things level again, but goal was disallowed for offside. Kennedy then got the chance to restore Australia's two-goal difference after great work, but the towering striker placed the ball just wide of the Serbian goal.