Qantas Socceroos share the spoils with Serbia

The Qantas Socceroos and Serbia have played out to a high quality 0-0 draw at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

The Qantas Socceroos and Serbia have played out to a high quality 0-0 draw at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

Qantas Socceroos coach Holger Osieck made six changes to the team that started against New Zealand with Lucas Neill returning as captain and Archie Thompson making his Qantas Socceroos appearance after a 16 month absence.

Adam Federici had an outstanding game at the back, making numerous saves to prevent Serbia from breaking the deadlock while Brett Holman was lively in attack, creating opportunities for the Qantas Socceroos.

Both teams started the match well and were unlucky not to be a goal up before half-time. Mile Jedinak first tested the Serbian goalkeeper with his free kick from outside the box in the 30th minute before a cheeky flick from Thompson in the 37th minute put Holman through on the right. Holman-s cross found Jedinak but his shot was deflected out for a corner.

Five minutes from half-time, Adam Ljejic missed a golden opportunity in front of goal. A weak clearance from the Qantas Socceroos defence presented Ljejic with an open goal but the 19-year-old blasted the ball over the bar.

Serbia started the second-half the way they ended the first as Federici was called into action twice early in the second-half.

He dived bravely at the feet of Zoran Tosic who was through on goal for the first before saving Ljajic-s long shot.

Both coaches made changes to the team in search for the winner and substitute James Troisi almost made the difference in the 79th minute. After being put through on goal by Holman, Troisi was left one-on-one with goalkeeper Damir Kahriman but his shot went straight to the goalkeeper.

In the end, the draw was a fair result for both teams as the Qantas Socceroos concluded their two International Friendly match with a 3-0 win against New Zealand and a 0-0 draw with Serbia.

Match Details:

Qantas Socceroos 0 Serbia 0 Tuesday, 7 June 2011 Etihad Stadium, Melbourne Local kick-off: 7.30pm Crowd: 28, 149

Qantas Socceroos: 1. Adam Federici (gk), 2. Lucas Neill (c) (21. Jon McKain 57'), 3. Michael Zullo (11. James Troisi 46'), 6. Sasa Ognenovski, 7. Brett Emerton (22. Dario Vidosic 57'), 8. Luke Wilkshire (5. Rhys Williams 57'), 14. Brett Holman, 15. Mile Jedinak (19. Neil Kilkenny 74'), 16. Carl Valeri, 17. Matt McKay, 4. Archie Thompson (23. Robbie Kruse 65')

Substitutes not used: 18. Nathan Coe (gk), 24. Mitchell Langerak (gk), 10. Alex Brosque, 13. Mark Milligan, 20. Matt Spiranovic

Yellow Cards: Carl Valeri, Mile Jedinak, Jon McKain