FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: Australia vs. Serbia - Final Match Review
The game started with Cahill coming back into the side for Australia after being sent off in their opening game against Germany.
Australia could have qualified to the next round if they scored a win against Serbia and Ghana beat Germany. There is another scenario, in which Australia and Germany both win, but this involves an immense need for the Socceroos to improve goal difference. However if Germany win their match against Ghana, Australia would have needed a huge win against the Serbs to qualify for the next round bdue to the goal difference involved.
Serbia could have qualified for the round of sixteen with a win today. A draw against Australia could also have done the trick if the Ghana vs. Germany match ended in a draw. Both of these teams have never played each other before.
The opening minutes of the first half were filled with tentative attacking play with Krasic looking dangerous for Serbia down the right wing. In the 5th minute of the half the Serbian winger took the first shot at the Australian goal, which brought out a good solid save from the Aussie goalkeeper at his near post. At the 12th minute mark, Serbians broke away from their own half to initiate a counter attack against the Socceroos but the energetic Krasic wasted a golden opportunity again as he shot wide of the goal after Zigic played a fantastic through ball towards him.
Serbia looked more threatening of the two teams as their frequent efforts on goal and continued possession of the ball caused the Australians some trouble. The first yellow card of the match was shown to Lukovic in the 17th minute of the match after he brought down Wilkshire who had possession for the Australians. The Serbians almost scored in the 22nd minute of the match through Ivanovic, only to be denied by the Aussie goal keeper Mark Schwarzer again. The first proper Australian opening was seen in the 31st minute with Cahill heading wide of the mark from a Bresciano cross from the Australian left.
Zigic had a golden opportunity for Serbia in the 33rd minute but he failed to capitalize as his header went wide of the goal. Australia played the half with a much more defensive mentality than the Serbians. Australia got their first effort on goal just before the end of the first half; it was a header by their lanky striker Kennedy.
Serbia were the dominant team in the first half and looked much more likely to score. They had more shots on goal and had majority of the possession.
The second half started with Australia getting a free kick at the right side of the Serbian penalty area but they failed to create a goal scoring opportunity from it. Second and third bookings of the game came in quick succession as both Beauchamp and Wilkshire were shown the yellow card for late tackles.
Serbia had a wonderful chance to take the lead in the 52nd minute of the second half but Zigic again failed to hit the target from within the Aussie penalty area. Serbian midfielder Ninkovic was shown the fourth yellow card of the match around the 57th minute mark after putting in a dangerously late tackle on Wilkshire. Serbia made their first substitution of the match with Tosic coming on to replace Krasic on the left side of the Serbian attack.
Australia responded with two changes of their own as well near the 65th minute mark with Scott Chipperfield replacing Bresciano and Valeri making way for Brett Holman. Soon after the fifth yellow card of the night was shown to Emerton of Australia, the Serbs made their second substitution of the match with Pantellic replacing Zigic in the 68th minute.
The first goal of the match came in the 69th minute after Tim Cahill headed the ball into the back of the Serbian net from 12 yards out. It was an excellently taken header by the Everton man. The Australians soon went two up after the substitute Brett Holman scored with a wonderful shot from 25 yards out for the Australians.
In an effort to get back into the game Serbians made their last substitution of the match at around the 77th minute mark with Kuzmanovic making way for Lazovic. The Australians also made their last substitution of the match soon after as Richard Garcia replaced Wilkshire.
Serbia gave themselves hopes of a late comeback when Pantellic scored in the 82nd minute after Mark Schwarzer spilled a tame effort from Tosic. They also had a late appeal for a penalty as the ball clearly seemed to come off Cahill’s left hand after a corner was whipped in but it was all in vain as the match ended 2-1 in an Australian win. The result means that Ghana and Germany go through as their match ended in a one to nil win for the Germans. Serbia get knocked out on points difference and Australia get knocked out of the competition on goal difference between them and Ghana.
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