Australia will have to improve on their performance against New Zealand in their latest warm-up game heading into next month’s World Cup 2010 finals. The Socceroos had to rely on a injury time winner from substitute Brett Holman as they struggled to a 2-1 victory over their Kiwi neighbours, in front of 55.000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Chris Killen quietened the home fans when he popped up to put the All Whites ahead in a first half dominated by the visitors. The home side equalised through a lucky Dario Vidosic goal, after a deflected pass confused the Kiwi defence allowing Vidosic to finish. In what proved to be the last kick of the match Holman finished his chance well giving the Aussie’s the victory in a game head coach Pim Verbeek admitted his team didn’t deserve to win.
Verbeek was without big name players such as Harry Kewell, Mark Schwarzer and Brett Emerton but would have been expecting a better performance. Verbeek also vented his anger at some of the tackling on display, in particular the challenges on New Zealand’s Leo Bertos by Tim Cahill and Vince Grella. The coach admitted that both challenges would of probably resulted in red cards had it not been a friendly match. Bertos was taken off in the second half and will be hoping his injury doesn’t ruin his World up chances.
Australia will be hoping that by the time they kick-off their World Cup campaign kicks off on June 13th against Germany, that they will have improved from their showing against New Zealand. After making the second round at the last World Cup in Germany, Australia will be looking to improve on that this time round. World Cup betting tips suggests it is not an easy job after being pitted against Ghana and Serbia as well as the Germans in a tricky Group D.