Socceroos beat Serbia but both misses out

6:30 PM GMT, June 23, 2010
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, South Africa


Australia
2 - 1
Serbia

Australia beat Serbia 2-1 to seal both teams' exit from the World Cup. The Socceroos looked like they might cause an upset after going ahead, but Serbia's Marko Pantelic hit back to see them miss out by a single goal.

Australia's effort dragged them off the bottom of the group but it was too little too late as Ghana edged them out of the second round on goal difference.

Scoring Summary

Australia	Serbia
Tim Cahill (69')	Marko Pantelic (84')
Brett Holman (73')

Match Stats

Australia

Serbia

17(7)	Shots (on Goal)	23(6)
25	Fouls	10
5	Corner Kicks	6
1	Offsides	7
45%	Time of Possession	55%
3	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0
5	Saves	5

Match Information

Stadium:	Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, South Africa
Attendance:	37,836
Match Time:	18:30 GMT
Official(s):	Carlos Eugenio Simon (Brazil)

Man of the Match: Brett Holman

MATCH SUMMARY

Man of the Match: Brett Holman. In a hard fought match, super-sub Brett Holman changed the course of a game that Serbia were in control of. Tim Cahill scored just two minutes after the AZ Alkmaar midfielder's introduction and Holman then scored himself with a 30-yard wonder goal to give Australia a 2-0 lead.

Australia verdict: Struggled to get into the match as they opted for the direct route in the first-half. After the break the Socceroos played more of a passing game, keeping the ball on the floor, and it suited them better.

Serbia verdict: The Serbs were dominant in possession in the first-half and looked comfortable. But the White Eagles made a slow start after the break and lost their way. Zoran Tosic's introduction as sub in the 62nd minute got them back on course, but it was too little, too late.

Could do better: Nikola Zigic The 6' 7" striker missed a header from point-blank range when unmarked in the first-half. He didn't improve after the break and was hauled off after 69 minutes, to be replaced by Marko Pantelic.

Stat attack: This was the Socceroos' first win in six games at the World Cup finals (two draws and three defeats).