NELSPRUIT // Serbia began last night's game knowing that a victory would see them through to the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time. But they blew their big chance and it was Australia, who only had the slightest chance of qualifying before the match, who produced a remarkable, yet fruitless, attempt to escape from Group D. Second-half goals from Tim Cahill and Brett Holman gave them the win, but, after Marko Pantelic pulled one back, they finished level on points with Ghana and went out on goal difference.
Serbia completely outplayed Australia in the first half. Radomir Antic's side produced some outstanding attacking football, but were unable to find a goal as a limited Australian side struggled to live with Serbia's pace. Despite the return of the inspirational Cahill from suspension, Australia struggled. Serbia had the first opportunity when Milos Krasic burst into the box and fired at Mark Schwarzer from a tight angle.
Krasic had another chance after 11 minutes as Milos Ninkovic played him through with a superb pass but the CSKA Moscow winger shot high and wide after rounding the advancing Schwarzer. After the break, though Serbia were hit with a sucker punch. A lofted cross into the box from Luke Wilkshere in the 67th minute, was met by one of the deadliest headers of a ball in the game, Cahill, who lept above the Serbian defence to score.
At the point Australia still needed a three-goal swing to see them finish above Ghana, who were trailing 1-0 to Germany, and qualify for the last 16. They got one of those goals when Holman, on as a substitute, picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and drilled it into the bottom corner. But all hope was erased when Schwarzer spilled Zoran Tosic's shot and Pantelic scored the rebound. * PA
