FootballNews

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

Have YOUR say - What do you think about "Australia Draw Against Serbia"? Tell us NOW in the comment section below http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/82063,au ... erbia.aspx

ozzie owl wrote:We were outplayed lucky to get a draw.

Love to hear thoughts on Topr-Stanley, cannot understand how whe makes the side, his technique for that level is terrible.
Its either a short sideways/backwards or a long pump up the field.

Ginger Snaps wrote:Forget Super June, This Is Arnie's August

Graham Arnold's decision to leave Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite out of the Australian Olympic football squad has left him in Australian football's last chance saloon.

By casting out two of this country's major young talents, Arnold has effectively put his coaching reputation on the line this August.

If the Olyroos play above themselves and qualify from a very difficult group, then Arnold should be applauded for making the right decision when selecting his squad and coaching the team into the next round.

But if the young Australians fail to get out of their group – and play poorly while at it – calls for the 44-year-old's head need to be taken seriously.

Now I don't have a problem with Arnold as a coach and I don't think he's ever been given a fair crack of the whip by either the FFA or the fans. But, my God, he does make it hard for himself, doesn't he?

Nathan Burns is without doubt one of Australia's brightest talents, and although maybe not showing the best form recently, would have to be in most people's Olyroos first XI. He's been a consistent goalscorer in the A-League and has just signed a four year contract to play for AEK Athens in Greece. (Unlike Olyroo inclusion James Troisi who still hasn't got a team...)

When I first heard the news Burns had been left out of the squad at today's [Friday] press conference, I initially thought that the players must have been chosen by someone in the Olympic Committee who had no idea about football. Some might say I was still 50 percent right...

I'm hoping this is a case of smoke and mirrors that coaches and players employ to mask the real reason for a player's exclusion.

I'd like to think he's taking the bullet for AEK Athens reluctance to release Burns and rather than cause a rift between the youngster and his new club, the coach is diffusing the situation by taking the blame for the exclusion himself.

Whatever the reasons, the coach is doing things his own way.

And this time there will be no excuses. Like it or not, Arnold's coaching reputation will be decided this August.

johnydep wrote: For Australia's sake, I hope that Arnold has had a rethink about the glame plan.