2010 World Cup Soccer

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Australia has been eliminated from the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but has signed off in style with an awe-inspiring 2-1 victory over Serbia at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

Three second-half goals to Tim Cahill, Brett Holman and Serbia’s Marko Pantelic ensured a thrilling finale to a match that deserved no less in arguably the greatest sporting tournament in the world.

The match began in frenetic style and it didn’t take long for either ’keeper to be tested, with Australia’s Mark Schwarzer saving competently at the near post from Milos Krasic in the fifth minute.

Six minutes later, the ball broke kindly for Serbia, and it countered Australia’s corner with Serbian midfielder, Milos Ninkovic, demonstrating decent strength in holding off his opponent before releasing Krasic.

However, the onrushing Schwarzer advanced quickly off his line forcing an off-balance Krasic to round the goalkeeper and shoot high and wide, much to the relief of the Australian travelling supporters.

Serbia should’ve taken a 22^nd minute lead when a searching ball by Dejan Stankovic from the right flank found Branislav Ivanovic, but his angled volley was spectacularly thwarted by Schwarzer again.

The Socceroos were also displaying crafty movement off the ball and fine passing on it, as they fashioned their first genuine chance of the half after beautiful interplay between Brett Emerton and Marco Bresciano saw the latter cross for Cahill; yet, Cahill’s towering header sailed well wide of the mark.

Serbia responded in the 37^th minute believing it had scored the opener, but the goal was disallowed for offside when Milan Jovanovic evaded two challenges before threading the ball for Krasic to poke home past Schwarzer.

Australia finished the first half the stronger as lovely build-up play again allowed Emerton to cross for Josh Kennedy; but the striker’s header lacked power as Serbian goalkeeper, Vladimir Stojkovic, gathered the ball with ease.

A cagey start by both teams in the second half gave way as Jovanovic fed Nikola Zigic, with the striker bringing the ball down beautifully before cutting inside Lucas Neill and firing unexpectedly over the Australian goal.

Australia began to push higher up the field and the chances came thick and fast as an off-target volley by Jason Culina was followed up by an awkward Bresciano free-kick and a Cahill header that put Stojkovic to the test.

Bresciano drilled another shot from outside the area, which stung the palms of Stojkovic; yet, five minutes later, the Socceroos would open proceedings in characteristic fashion.

A measured centre on the right flank by Luke Wilkshire was attacked instinctively by Cahill, who subsequently guided an accurate header inside Stojkovic’s far post to earn the Socceroos a deserved 1-0 lead.

Following a wayward volley by Serbian substitute, Zoran Tosic, Australia extended its lead in the 73^rd minute after the ball was well won by Culina, who expertly released Holman with one touch.

Holman advanced willingly into the attacking third of the pitch before directing an absolute bullet into the bottom corner of the net.

Serbia was shell-shocked, but continued to commit players forward in the hope of an unlikely victory.

Indeed, Tosic’s influence was telling and he proved his worth in the 83^rd minute when his dipping strike wasn’t held by Schwarzer.

The rebound fell perfectly for Pantelic, who easily sidefooted home from close range; and with that, one felt that the World Cup dream was over for the Socceroos.

Serbia continued to push for a result through another Tosic pot shot that Schwarzer did well to hold onto.

Nevertheless, a minute later, a heart in the mouth moment developed for the Socceroos.

Danko Lazovic crossed for Pantelic to tuck away his second – or so the Ajax Amsterdam striker thought, with the linesman instantly raising his flag for offside.

Going into injury time, an accidental handball by Cahill in Australia’s area wasn’t penalised by the referee and as a result, the Serbians protested vehemently.

The Socceroos held onto their lead and departed the 2010 FIFA World Cup with the respect of the football world intact once again, despite finishing third in their group.

For Serbia, its finale to the tournament was marred by its players seemingly abusing the officials.

Either way, Serbia had to eventually settle in the knowledge that the defeat against a spirited Socceroos side meant that the Europeans would finish their tournament in last place of Group D.

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