World Cup 2010, Group D: Australia vs Serbia - 1st Half Match Report
Australia lined up against Serbia in their final group game, with still some hopes of making it to the final 16 of the World Cup.
Australian head coach Pim Verbeek understandably recalled Tim Cahill, after he served his one match ban (following the red card). The Everton midfielder was set to play just behind Josh Kennedy, who was in the starting 11 in place of Brett Holman at the front. Meanwhile, defender Michael Beauchamp made his World Cup debut, as Craig Moore is suspended.
Serbian manager Radomir Antic dropped left-back Aleksandar Kolarov, and brought in Ivan Obradovic, and Aleksandar Lukovic replaced Neven Subotic in the centre of defence.
There was a lot of focus on stats in the first half: Australia are looking for a win after 5 matches in the World Cup, and looking to make it to the last 16 for the 2nd time running, after they were knocked out by Italy in 2006. Meanwhile, Serbia started the match looking to make it through despite losing the first match, something Yugoslavia managed to do back in 1962 and in 1990.
Now to the start of the first half: it was a good and open start to the match at Nelspruit. Serbia's midfielder Milos Krasic picked up where he left off in the last match against Germany, and instantly made a couple of quite threatening runs down the Australia left flank.
It was Milos Krasic who got the first shot on target; the midfielder forced Mark Schwarzer to make a quick reflex save at his near post; the Aussie keeper pushed it aside and around the post.
There was another chance for Serbia: Milos Krasic once again was the man but just like the earlier attempt, it was sent wide. The midfielder should have done much better, after a brilliant pass by Milos Ninkovic, but after rounding off the keeper, he shot it high over the goal up into the stands.
Serbia definitely dominated the first half, while Australia were hanging on a touch and looking short of ideas against the Europeans. But still Serbia, for all their domination, had nothing to show for it.
There was an incident in the first half which could have turned ugly, as Vidic tackled Cahill following a free kick, but thankfully for Serbia, the referee did not catch it.
Serbia continued to attack the Aussie goal but Schwarzer was not in a mood to let go of anything, as the first half ended nil nil.
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