Aussies thunder, go down under

Jun 25, 2010 |

Nelspruit

Australia ended Serbia’s quest for the last 16 at the World Cup with a fighting 2-1 victory but it was not enough to take them into the knockout round at the Mbombela Stadium here on Wednesday.
The Socceroos hit back magnificently in the second half, rocking the Europeans with two goals in four minutes and shredding their highly-rated defence in their best performance of the tournament. It was to prove in vain, though, as Ghana, despite their 1-0 loss to Germany in Johannesburg, went through to the second round on goal difference.
Everton midfelder Tim Cahill started it off for the Australians by outjumping Manchester United central defender Nemanja Vidic and heading home in the 69th minute before substitute Brett Holman thumped in a long-range shot four minutes later. Substitute Marko Pantelic pulled one back with six minutes left, had another chalked off for offside and then put another one over the bar with the goal — and a place in the last 16 — at his mercy.

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