Tim Cahill and Brett Holman goals gave Australia a 2-0 second half lead and momentary hope of catching Ghana for second place in the group. However, a Marko Pantelic goal pulled Serbia within one, where the match would end, Australia’s 2-1 win pulling them into third place, but both teams eliminated from the World Cup.
Serbia had the better of play in the first half but failed to get goals through Nicola Zigic and Milos Krasic, but Australian opportunism saw the Serbs susceptible to quick Australia strikes in the second half. Tim Cahill scored a headed goal against the run-of-play in the 69th minute, followed quickly there after by a Brett Holman goal that saw the midfielder run twenty yards with the ball without being closed-out, eventually beating Vladimir Stojkovic from 25 yards.
Australia’s strong showed helped offset memories of their opening match against Germany, a 4-0 loss that seemed to destine them for Group D’s last place. However, with a draw against Ghana and a victory over Serbia, the Socceroos finish in third place, losing out on a Round of 16 place on the goal difference tiebreaker.
Serbia, many people’s dark horse to make a run in this tournament, finishes last in Group C with three points.
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