Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Porto Allegre: Tim Cahill scored a contender for goal of the tournament but it was not enough to stop Australia falling to a heart-breaking 3-2 defeat at the hands of 2010 FIFA World Cup finalists the Netherlands in a thrilling game at Estadio Beiro-Rio on Wednesday.
The New York Red Bulls striker's stunning volley came less than a minute after Arjen Robben had given the Dutch the lead with a trademark goal that saw the Bayern Munich man utilising his blistering pace to unlock the Australian defence.
Mile Jedinak netted from the penalty spot early in the second half to give Australia the lead but goals from Robin van Persie and Memphis Depay finally saw the Dutch take control of a game the Socceroos dominated for long periods.
Dutch coach Louis van Gaal fielded the same side that handed world champions Spain a 5-1 thrashing in their opening game while Ange Postecoglou was forced into two changes, leaving out injured duo Mark Milligan and Ivan Franjic, and replacing them with Matt McKay and Ryan McGowan.
Robben spurned an early opening following a mistake by Alex Wilkinson that allowed the Dutchman in on goal, only for Robben's control to let him down, while at the other end Tommy Oar's cross from the left caused concern in the Dutch backline before it was cleared.
Mark Bresciano should have done better with his effort 16 minutes into the game than sky the ball over the bar and, within four minutes, the Dutch had taken the lead.
Nigel De Jong won the ball in the midfield before sliding his pass into the path of Robben, who ran from the halfway line at blistering pace to outstrip the Socceroos defence and slot the ball to the left of Maty Ryan's outstretched hand.
The Dutch fans were still celebrating when the Australians levelled in spectacular fashion as Cahill pulled the trigger on a remarkable left foot volley that found the back of the net via the underside of the bar, sparking wild scenes among the 18,000 travelling Australian supporters.
Australia defied the odds to dominate large portions of the first half; Bresciano should have done better than fire over the bar after Mathew Leckie found him with a well weighted cut back from the right while Matthew Spiranovic's weak effort when in space in the area was a disappointment.
Nine minutes after the restart, however, the Australians took the lead when Jedinak struck confidently from the penalty spot after Daryl Janmaat was judged to handled Oliver Bozanic's cross from the left.
But, within four minutes, the scores were level again as van Persie fired past Ryan after Jason Davidson had unwittingly played the Manchester United striker onside.
And the Dutch sealed the three points that all but takes them into the next round when Depay's low, long range strike swerved enough to confuse Ryan, who was unable to put enough of a glove on the shot to steer it to safety.
Photo: AFP