| The Full Commentary |
That's all from the team at the MCG. Thanks for joining us, and be sure to check out all the action from the World Cup at theage.com.au.
MAN OF THE MATCH Josip Skoko
For the Australians, the next test will be against the Netherlands on June 4, and then Liechtenstein on June 8.
Australia leaves for Europe with a winning feeling, managing to hold on against a Greek side that came out firing after half-time. Four changes to the away side brought some fresh legs onto the pitch, and the visitors were able to deny the Australians the run out of defence that set them up in the first half. For the Greeks Dellas was solid in defence, but the team looked to lack mobility and with the exception of the first fifteen minutes of the second half, did not really trouble the Australians. For the Australians, Skoko was sensational, Sterjovski was exciting and Culina and Grella kept control over the play.
FULL TIME AUSTRALIA 1 - GREECE 0
91' Late challenge by Thompson brings down Zagorakis and he lets him know he's unhappy
Just flashed up on the scoreboard it is a $4000 fine for bringing flares in to the ground
More flares as the seconds tick down
86' A Culina strike is comfortably covered by Nikopolidis
86' Gekas on for Karagounis
83' Archie Thompson passes to Wilkshire for the strike. It starts wide and stays there.
81' Australia gets a corner
79' Amanatidis on for Fyssas
73' Lazaridis on for Sterjovski
71' Good run from Neill ends with Bresciano, who chips for Sterjovski. His head shot goes just wide of the post - the blue and white army breathes a sigh of relief.
69' Best opportunity for Greece yet, as Popovic is unable to clear by head from defence and Zagorakis found himself wide open. But his shot goes well wide - the Greeks have had 6 shots off target to Australia 2 so far this match.
66' Sterjovski has a good run down the wing, passes back to Emerton who returns but its the wrong option and offside is called
AUSTRALIA 1 - GREECE 0
Big Mexican wave and the flares have gone off.
61' Thompson on for Viduka
60' Wilkshire on for Skoko
57' Karagounis has a few harsh words (and a push) for Skoko after he is brought down steaming through the center
Greece has certainly come out from the break with a bit more fire in the belly.
52' Left foot strike from Lagos over the top of the goals as Australia struggles to clear it from defence
Popovic on for Chipperfield
47' Charisteas gets a great pass deep in the box but his header goes wide
SECOND HALF
Greece: Antonios Nikopolidis, Georgios Seitaridis, Traianos Dellas, Takis Fyssas, Sotirios Kyriagos, Kostas Katsouranis, Stelios Giannakopoulos, Angelo Basinas, Georgios Karagounis, Angelo Charisteas, Georgios Samaras.
Australia: Zeljko Kalac, Brett Emerton, Craig Moore, Lucas Neill, Scott Chipperfield, Josip Skoko, Vince Grella, Jason Culina, Marco Bresciano, Mile Sterjovski, Mark Viduka.
STARTING LINE UP
Australia has dominated the match tonight, and have definitely shown the benefit of some tough training with plenty of zip on the pitch. Skoko has been playing well in the hole behind Viduka, and Culina and Grella have been solid in the midfield. The goal in the 15th minute was brilliantly executed, and Bresciano was unlucky to push his shot wide eight minutes later. For the Greeks, Charisteas has had several opportunities, and Karagounis was unlucky not to finish off a classy run. The crowd has been well behaved and are making a great atmosphere for the team before they leave. Both sides are getting plenty of support. The only downside appears to be the quality of the turf, which looks to be suffering a bit in the short turnaround from the AFL matches. Nevertheless, it has been an entertaining first half.
HALF TIME AUSTRALIA 1 - GREECE 0
45' Bresciano called for offside as the seconds count down to half-time.
44' Hand ball against Samaras just forward of the center for Australia
41' Viduka brings the ball down in the box, blatant tug on the shirt as the Aussie bench rises as one, but the umpire didn't see it.
39' Australia pushing forward again, Sterjovski crosses behind Viduka after a promising build up. The captain has a few strong words.
38' Greeks go forward, Samaras unable to capitalise on the long ball and its a goal kick
36' Bresciano earns another free after his heels are clipped by Karagounis, but his shot sails well over the goal.
31' Sterjkovski gets a strong run forward, but is falls as he enters the box
27' Samaras sets the ball up for Giannakopoulos, but he interferes as he positions for a strike and the Australians clear with the free
25' Another Australian attack, Sterjkovski forced wide and an easy save in the end
23' Skoko challenged from behind and earns the free. Bresciano takes the shot and pushes it just right of the post, curled around the wall
21' Bresciano gets a small run at the top of the box, unable to control it and it is cleared to the boundary
AUSTRALIA 1 - GREECE 0
15' Neill heads the ball back to Skoko, who strikes the ball into the top left of the net. Great shot, looked to be a set play.
14' Australia earns another corner, Bresciano takes it again.
Starting line up: Kalac, Neill, Moore, Culina, Emerton, Skoko, Viduka, Grella, Chipperfield, Bresciano, Sterjkovski
Plenty of attack from the Australians, who are putting plenty of offensive pressure on the Greeks
9' No score from the corner, Bresciano's attempt flies across the ground.
8' Australia get another corner