FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: First Half Review - Australia vs. Serbia
The game started with Cahill coming back into the side for Australia after being sent off in their opening game against Germany. Australia can qualify to the next round if they score a win against Serbia and Ghana beat Germany. There is another scenario, in which Australia and Germany both win, but it involves an immense need for the Socceroos to improve their goal difference. However if Germany win their match against Ghana, Australia will need a big win against the Serbs to qualify for the next round because of the goal difference involved. Serbia can qualify for the round of sixteen with a win today. A draw against Australia would also do the trick, if the Ghana vs. Germany match ends 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 with their frequent efforts on the goal, and kept possession of the ball which gave 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 the 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 the goal and had majority of the possession.
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