Nil-all draw in game 1 against Paraguay

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The LG SOCCEROOS have fought out a 0-0 draw with PARAGUAY at the Sydney Football Stadium, in the opening match of the three-game series.

After a tentative start, the Australians dominated much of the game, with the best chance of the first half falling to striker DAVID ZDRILIC, whose header was tipped over the bar by Paraguyan keeper and cap

The LG SOCCEROOS have fought out a 0-0 draw with PARAGUAY at the Sydney Football Stadium, in the opening match of the three-game series.

After a tentative start, the Australians dominated much of the game, with the best chance of the first half falling to striker DAVID ZDRILIC, whose header was tipped over the bar by Paraguyan keeper and captain, JOSE LUIS CHILAVERT.

In the second half, ZDRILIC had another header saved, while replacement CLAYTON ZANE netted the ball in extra time, only to have the goal ruled off-side.

LG Socceroo Coach FRANK FARINA was happy with his team-s performance, giving due consideration to the fact that many of the side haven-t played for up to a month.

"We-ll obviously get better as the series goes on, but I was quite pleased with the overall effort put in by the boys tonight," he said after the game.

"If I had to single individuals out, I think Zdrilic, (Brett) Emerton and (Stan) Lazaridis worked very hard, but I really felt it was a good team effort,

"Everyone in the squad will be given an opportunity to play in this series, and that-s the reason behind having a big squad, hopefully everyone will stand up and be counted, and make it difficult for me to pick my final squad for Tahiti."

Game 2 of the series will be played at The Gabba in Brisbane, on Monday (12th June).

SUMMARY:

FULL TIME RESULT: AUSTRALIA 0

PARAGUAY 0

AUSTRALIA

Zeljko Kalac (gk); Kevin Muscat, Shaun Murphy, Tony Popovic, Danny Tiatto (Simon Colosimo 74-), Stan Lazaridis, Paul Okon, Craig Foster (Aurelio Vidmar 78-), Brett Emerton, David Zdrilic, Paul Agostino (Clayton Zane 64-)

PARAGUAY

Jose L Chilavert (gk); Nestor Isasi, Delio Toledo (Juan Cardozo 84-), Dario Caballero, Nelson Zelaya, Estanislao Struway, Raul Aviniagalde (Tomas Gonzalez 53-), Nery Ortiz (Roland Gaona 83-), Walter Avalos, Edgar Robles (Isidro Candia 69-), Miguel Caceres (Julio Colman 64-).

Yellow Cards

K Muscat (Aus) 14-, P Okon (Aus) 39-, N Zelaya (Par) 41-, T Popovic (Aus) 57-, J Chilavert (Par) 57-, W Avalos (Par) 65-, D Zdrilic (Aus) 88-.