Australia beats Greece 1-0 in tuneup
(AP)
Updated: 2006-05-26 08:36
MELBOURNE, Australia - Australia beat Greece 1-0 Thursday on Josip Skoko's
goal in the 16th minute in an exhibition game before a record soccer crowd of
95,103 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The Australians leave for the Netherlands on Friday for a June 4 exhibition
with the Dutch before their World Cup opener against Japan on June 12 in
Germany. They sealed their first tournament berth since 1974 after winning a
series with Uruguay last November.
Greece, after a stunning win at Euro 2004, failed to qualify for the World
Cup and was using this game as preparation for 2008 European championship
qualifiers in September.
Skoko scored with a left-footed strike from just outside the penalty area
after Marco Bresciano's corner kick. Bresciano had a free kick eight minutes
later, but shot wide.
Greece coach Otto Rehhagel broke with his 4-5-1 system, starting with a 4-4-2
that did not include captain Theodoros Zagorakis. Zagorakis entered as a
midfielder midway through the game, and the Greeks started the second half with
a rush by applying more pressure on and off the ball. Zagorakis' missed shot in
the 70th minute was Greece's best chance.
Australian goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac, a surprise choice over Mark Schwarzer,
wasn't forced to make a save until the last 10 minutes. Forwards Harry Kewell
and John Aloisi and midfielder Tim Cahill did not play for Australia because of
injury.
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