Olyroo battling start.

First Canberran, Nikolai Topor-Stanley into 2008 Olympics, appropriately it's for football our most popular sport.

Haircut Zadkovich, all the rage in Derby this year, scored for Australia in a battling performance against Serbia tonight in the opening game of the Under 23 World Cup. A tight battle ended 1-1 after Serbia equalised late on.

Were we happy?
Yes and no. A hard-working well drilled performance from the Aussies with a lack of creativity in the final third putting a big question mark over our ability to qualify.

Still all games at the World Cup are difficult. Aussie boys done good I reckon at this stage of our development against Euro Runners-up. Argentina next up.

Channel Seven. A commentator not in the city. Break to ads. Break to an announcement for a guy we all knew weeks ago he'd got the Flag job. Prime Coverage 3/10. What will they do for the Argentina game:)
FFA RElease below.

The Australian Men’s Olympic Football team have begun their 2008 Olympic Games tournament with a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Serbia in Shanghai tonight.

After a scoreless first half, Australian midfielder Ruben Zadkovich opened the scoring in the 69th minute when he found himself unmarked at the far post and at the end of a David Carney cross. Zadkovich was able to slip his shot into the net from a very acute angle.

Australia could have doubled their lead shortly afterwards when substitute Billy Celeski struck a great shot only to see his attempt hit the post and bounce back into play.

Serbia equalised in the 78th minute through Slobadan Rajkovic who headed home a corner from within the six-yard box.

Both teams worked hard for the winning goal but in the end had to settle for a point each.

Australia will play their second match of the 2008 Olympic Games Men’s Football Tournament against Argentina at Shanghai Stadium on Sunday 10 August (Kick-off 7:00pm AEST).

ENDS

Match Details

Australia 1 (Ruben Zadkovich 69’)
Serbia 1 (Slobodan Rajkovic 78’)
Thursday 8 August 2008
Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai, China PR
Referee: Jerome Damon (RSA)
Assistant Referees: Enock Molefe (RSA) & Celestin Ntagungira (RWA)
Fourth Official: Thomas Einwaller (AUT)
Crowd: 36,184

Australia line-up: 1.Adam Federici (gk), 2.Jade North, 4.Mark Milligan (Capt) (16.Billy Celeski 66’), 5.Matthew Spiranovic, 6.Nikolai Topor-Stanley, 8.Stuart Musialik, 10.Archie Thompson (15.Kristian Sarkies 76’), 11.David Carney, 12.Trent McClenahan, 13.Ruben Zadkovich, 17.Nikita Rukavytsya (9.Mark Bridge 88’).

Substitutes Not Used: 18.Tando Velaphi (gk), 3.Adrian Leijer, 14.James Troisi, 27.Neil Kilkenny.

Yellow Cards: Matthew Spiranovic 50’, Trent McClenahan 60’.

Red Cards: Nil


Serbia line-up: 1.Vladimir Stojkovic (gk) (Capt), 2.Marko Jovanovic, 3.Aleksandar Kolarov, 5.Slobodan Rajkovic, 7. Milan Smiljanic, 8.Nikola Gulan (4.Gojko Kacar 73’), 9.Djordje Rakic (14.Milan Mrdakovic 56’), 12.Dusan Tadic, 13.Ljubomir Fejsa (15.Aleksander Zivkovic 77’) 16.Nenad Tomovic, 17.Zoran Tosic.

Substitutes Not Used:, 6.Predrag Pavlovic, 11. Dusko Tosic, 18. Sasa Stamnekovic (gk), 19.Andrija Kaludjerovic.

Yellow Cards: Zoran Tosic 79’.

Red Cards: Nil


Men's Football Section of the 2008 Australian Olympic Team

Mark Bridge (Sydney FC), David Carney* (Sheffield United, England), Billy Celeski (Melbourne Victory), Adam Federici (Reading, England), Neil Kilkenny (Leeds United, England), Adrian Leijer (Fulham Athletic, England), Trent McClenahan (uncontracted), Mark Milligan (uncontracted), Stuart Musialik (Sydney FC), Jade North* (Newcastle Jets), Nikita Rukavytsya (Perth Glory), Kristian Sarkies (Adelaide United), Matthew Spiranovic (FC Nurnberg, Germany), Archie Thompson* (Melbourne Victory), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Perth Glory), James Troisi (uncontracted), Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory), Ruben Zadkovich (Derby County, England).
* denotes over age players

Alternate Players
Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory), James Holland (Newcastle Jets), Chris O’Connor (Bray Wanderers, Ireland), Matt Simon (Central Coast Mariners).

Upcoming Match Details

Olympic Football Tournament – Beijing 2008

Argentina v Australia
Sunday 10 August 2008 (Kick-Off Time 17:00pm CST (19:00pm AEST))
Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai, China

Côte d’Ivorie v Australia
Wednesday 13 August 2008 (Kick-Off Time 19:45pm CST (21:45pm AEST))
Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, Tianjin, China