Australia defeated 3-1 by US in World Cup warmup

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-06-06 16:29

Australia defeated 3-1 by US in World Cup warmup
Australia's team captain Lucas Neill (L) tackles Robbie Findley of the US during their friendly soccer match at the Ruimsig stadium in Roodepoort, just outside of ohannesburg June 5, 2010. [Agencies]

CANBERRA - Australia's World Cup preparations suffered a setback, with a stuttering Socceroos outfit losing 3-1 to the United States in Saturday night's friendly at the Roodepoort Athletics Stadium, local reports said on Sunday.

The unconvincing display against a superior US team would not have pleased the Australia national soccer team head coach Pim Verbeek in his side's final hit-out before their World Cup opener against Germany on June 13 in Durban, The Australian news reported.

Tim Cahill was forced off at halftime with a neck injury, but Verbeek insisted the star midfielder would be OK for Australia's World Cup opener.

"Timmy - a little bit of massage and he'll be fine," Verbeek said.

"Maybe he could have played the second half, but why take that risk? It was just a ball wrong on his head, a bit unlucky."

The coach felt his side had rebounded from a tough first half to create their share of chances in the second, but admitted there was still plenty for them to work on.

"We have to work on some issues, that's clear. But we still have eight days," Verbeek said, "We also got enough chances to score goals, but we have to score them."

"It was a tough game, and it was a very good game to see ... tough opponents, had to work hard, they created some chances and so did we."

Cahill's 20th goal from 40 internationals was not enough to save the Socceroos, who were undone by US striker Edson Buddle.

According to The Australian, Buddle took advantage of some tentative Australian defending to score twice, with his attacking combination with Robbie Findley and Clint Dempsey often tormenting the Socceroos.

Substitute Herculez Gomez has provided the finishing touch in the dying stages to seal the win for the Americans.