Aussies snatch farewell win
The Qantas Socceroos have snatched a dramatic 2-1 win over New Zealand in front of 55,659 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with Brett Holman scoring the winner in the final seconds of the match.
In the Qantas Socceroos' first hit out ahead of the tournament in South Africa, New Zealand took a first half lead through Middlesbrough striker Chris Killen before Dario Vidosic notched his first goal for his country just before the hour.
The match looked destined for a draw, but in the 93rd minute Holman, on as a second-half substitute, created an opening and then latched onto Carl Valeri's chip pass to give Australia what looked a fortunate victory.
Pim Verbeek took the opportunity to look at as many of his players as possible, making seven substitutions during the match, including a debut to Adam Federici and a late substitutes appearance from teenage talent Tommy Oar.
After a subdued opening, Tim Cahill managed to get a shot away on nine minutes, but it was both tame and wide. New Zealand replied by creating an excellent chance soon after, Tim Brown pulling it just wide.
New Zealand then stunned the home crowd on 16 minutes, after a long pass from Simon Elliott was well flicked on by Shane Smeltz. Killen was at the far post to slide in ahead of Mark Milligan and knock the shot past Adam Federici.
A dominant New Zealand period ensued and the All Whites could have been two-up on 24 minutes when Killen was left alone in the box and his quickfire shot hit the post with Federici struggling to get there.
Needing to chase the game, Australia was looking a little flustered and three players were booked in a 10-minute period, with Milligan, Vince Grella and Cahill all earning the wrath of referee Ricardo Salazar.
Rory Fallon could have also scored late in the half, heading over the top from close range, while Australia's best chance came when Mark Bresciano's clever free kick variation found David Carney who directed an excellent pass to an unmarked Scott McDonald.
McDonald hit the shot straight at NZ keeper Mark Paston and while the rebound fell at McDonald's feet he was unable to get it back near the goals.
Grella, Cahill, Craig Moore, Bresciano and Federici were substituted at half time replaced by Brad Jones, Michael Beauchamp, Mile Jedinak, Valeri and Holman.
The second half began as the first half had finished with New Zealand looking more likely to score. Fallon launched an ambitious shot which had Jones scrambling on 50 minutes but after taking some time to settle, the revamped Australian line-up began to find its rhythm.
Milligan tried his hand from range and his deflected effort went narrowly wide, while Jason Culina, who had been deployed in a more attacking role, set-up the equaliser.
On 56 minutes, he played a neat one-two and then looked to set-up Vidosic. While there was an element of fortune in the deflection, the young striker surged into open space and pulled the trigger on a powerful shot which Paston had no hope of saving.
Australia continued to pour on the pressure after the hour mark with Culina relishing his new role, but its pressure amounted to nothing of substance in that period.
Instead it was New Zealand which could have taken the lead, when a superb 69th-minute cross from All Whites youngster Tommy Smith found Fallon unattended. Only Jones' quick reflexes prevented the visitors from scoring.
Oar replaced Vidosic and Nikita Rukavytsya came on for Scott McDonald late in the piece and while both were keen to make an impression, they failed to deliver any threat to the scoreline stalemate.
Instead it would be Holman who would decide the match in the final seconds, playing a clever ball to Culina, who knocked back for Valeri. Valeri chipped and Holman was there to knock in his second goal for his country.
Australia 2 (Vidosic 56, Holman 93) New Zealand 1 (Killlen 16) Crowd: 55,659 at MCG