Socceroos held to a 0-0 draw against Singapore

AUSTRALIA’S friendly hit-out against Singapore ended in a disappointing 0-0 draw. Socceroos coach Verbeek decided to call-up a mainly A-League side weighted with mostly Olyroo players. This was probably the most inexperienced Socceroo team to line up in over 18 years when eight players made the their international debut against Indonesia. In this game there were nine news faces in total and six of these players were on from the outset.

A combination of first game jitters and disgraceful conditions didn’t help the spectacle. Monsoonal rains flooded the pitch only an hour or two before kickoff and it was unsure whether the match would go ahead at all.

Despite all this, the players did quite well and dominated possession in the first half with the best chance falling with Mile Jedinak’s free kick just outside the 16-yard box which forced a save from goalkeeper Lionel Lewis.

Lewis was forced into another fine save on 27 minutes when Newcastle United’s Troisi smashed a shot from 20 yards out.

Ante Covic was also tested in the first half when 38-year-old veteran and ex-Aussie, Alex Duric came close with two late chances but Covic stood tall.

Things could have been worse for the Socceroos if it wasn’t for a smart save in the 82nd minute by Ante Covic.

Verbeek introduced Adelaide Utd young stars Bruce Djite and Nathan Burns at half-time. They replaced Captain Harry Kewell and Archie Thompson, probably to save them for the big match against China at Kunming on Wednesday.