Aloisi's Double Not Enough For Socceroos

Osasuna striker John Aloisi scored twice, but his goals proved not enough to earn Australia a result, going down 4-3 to host nation Germany at the Waldstadion in Frankfurt.

Osasuna striker John Aloisi scored twice, but his goals proved not enough to earn Australia a result, going down 4-3 to host nation Germany at the Waldstadion in Frankfurt.

Australia was gallant in defeat but paid the price for loose marking in the penalty area in the first half, which produced two goals for the home side.

However twice Australia came back in the first through a well-taken free kick by Josip Skoko and then a smart left-foot finish by Aloisi (pictured above right), from an excellent Skoko pass.

The first 15 minutes of the second half saw Germany dominate with Schwarzer forced to make three important saves, two of which were absolutely stunning efforts at full stretch.

However the pressure paid off with a second half penalty, converted by German superstar Michael Ballack, after Milicevic was adjudged to have brought down Friedrich in the area.

Unlike the first half, the Socceroos then struggled to break through the German rearguard in the second half and with two minutes remaining, a superb goal by young striker Podolwski had Germany 4-2 ahead on the way to victory.

However Aloisi ensured a few nervous moments for the home side, when he slipped the offside trap to run onto another superb Skoko pass, and while his first shot was blocked by Kahn, he managed to poke home the rebound.

The match also came at a cost, with central defender Tony Popovic forced off with an ankle injury after copping a late tackle by Germany-s best player Schweinsteiger early in the second half.

Skoko was again excellent in the midfield, Chipperfield looked dangerous on the left especially in the first half, while Aloisi has thrown down the challenge to Mark Viduka with his two goals and all round solid performance.

Milicevic, given the job until Popovic-s departure to contain the influence of Ballack, did so with good effect and was a little unlucky with the penalty decision with Friedrich certainly looking for the penalty before Milicevic got anywhere near him. He was forced to drop into the centre of defence in Popovic-s absence and look very comfortable.

Match Details Germany 4 (Kuranyi 18-, Mertsacker 23-, Ballack 60- pen, Podolwski 88-) Australia 3 (Skoko 21-, Aloisi 31-/91-)

Line-up: Mark Schwarzer (gk); Kevin Muscat, Craig Moore (c), Lucas Neill, Tony Popovic (Jon McKain 57-), Brett Emerton, Josip Skoko, Tim Cahill (Jason Culina 74-), Scott Chipperfield (Archie Thompson 82-), John Aloisi, Ljubo Milicevic.

Cautions: Milicevic (38-) Expuslions: Nil