Lots of questions for the coach.
http://www.au.fourfourtwo.com wrote:TOTALLY outpointed in general play, Australia should be pleased with the 1-1 draw with Serbia in the opening match of the men's football competition at the Beijing Olympic Games.
The Olyroos took the lead in their Group A match played in oppressive conditions in Shanghai through Ruben Zadkovich in the 69th minute.
But their advantage lasted just 10 minutes before an equakiser from the Serbs, who are competing in Olympic football for the first time since the break-up of the former Yugoslavia.
German-based Matthew Spiranovic played a mighty game in defence for Australia and Reading 'keeper Adam Federici was solid throughout, while Archie Thompson, one of the Olyroos' three over-aged players, worked tirelessly up forward.
Australia's goal came totally against the run of play, when David Carney outpaced his marker on the left and managed to cut the ball low and hard across the box where three team-mates were streaming forward.
The cross eluded the first two - Thompson and Nikita Rukavytsya - but the third, Zadkovich, was able to slide in at the far post and slip the ball past Serbia's 'keeper and captain Vladimir Stojkovic.
Seven minutes later, Billy Celeski, who had just come on to replace skipper Mark Milligan, wriggled into the box only to watch in frustration as his chip struck the left upright.
That was as close as it got for the Olyroos from then on, however, as the powerful Serbs stepped up the pressure.
They were rewarded in the 77th minute when strapping defender Slobodan Rajkovic outbodied Jade North at the near post and headed home powerfully, low and hard from a curling corner on the left.
It was no less than Serbia deserved.
A couple of wayward passes notwithstanding, Australia dominated possession in the opening 10 minutes of the match, but the Serbs were able to gradually wrest control and create the better chances in the first-half.
Partizan midfielder Zoran Tosic was proving a handful, loitering just outside the box, ready to pounce on any scraps.
He delivered the Australians a warning in the 12th minute from a quickly-taken corner when his goal-bound strike from 25 metres was cleared over the bar by Matthew Spiranovic.
The 21-year-old blasted the ball onto the crossbar from 30 metres in the nearest of near things in the 36th minute and, on the stroke of half-time, forced Federici into a diving save with another bullet-like shot from distance.
Australia line-up: 1.Adam Federici (gk), 2.Jade North, 4.Mark Milligan (Capt) (16.Billy Celeski 66’), 5.Matthew Spiranovic, 6.Nikolai Topor-Stanley, 8.Stuart Musialik, 10.Archie Thompson (15.Kristian Sarkies 76’), 11.David Carney, 12.Trent McClenahan, 13.Ruben Zadkovich, 17.Nikita Rukavytsya (9.Mark Bridge 88’).
Substitutes Not Used: 18.Tando Velaphi (gk), 3.Adrian Leijer, 14.James Troisi, 27.Neil Kilkenny.
Yellow Cards: Matthew Spiranovic 50’, Trent McClenahan 60’.
Red Cards: Nil
Serbia line-up: 1.Vladimir Stojkovic (gk) (Capt), 2.Marko Jovanovic, 3.Aleksandar Kolarov, 5.Slobodan Rajkovic, 7. Milan Smiljanic, 8.Nikola Gulan (4.Gojko Kacar 73’), 9.Djordje Rakic (14.Milan Mrdakovic 56’), 12.Dusan Tadic, 13.Ljubomir Fejsa (15.Aleksander Zivkovic 77’) 16.Nenad Tomovic, 17.Zoran Tosic.
Substitutes Not Used:, 6.Predrag Pavlovic, 11. Dusko Tosic, 18. Sasa Stamnekovic (gk), 19.Andrija Kaludjerovic.
Yellow Cards: Zoran Tosic 79’.
Red Cards: Nil
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