MELBOURNE, Australia - Australia beat Greece 1-0 Thursday on Josip Skoko's goal in the 16th minute in an exhibition game before a record soccer crowd of 95,103 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The Australians leave for the Netherlands on Friday for a June 4 exhibition with the Dutch before their World Cup opener against Japan on June 12 in Germany. They sealed their first tournament berth since 1974 after winning a series with Uruguay last November.

Greece, after a stunning win at Euro 2004, failed to qualify for the World Cup and was using this game as preparation for 2008 European championship qualifiers in September.

Skoko scored with a left-footed strike from just outside the penalty area after Marco Bresciano's corner kick. Bresciano had a free kick eight minutes later, but shot wide.

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel broke with his 4-5-1 system, starting with a 4-4-2 that did not include captain Theodoros Zagorakis. Zagorakis entered as a midfielder midway through the game, and the Greeks started the second half with a rush by applying more pressure on and off the ball. Zagorakis' missed shot in the 70th minute was Greece's best chance.

Australian goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac, a surprise choice over Mark Schwarzer, wasn't forced to make a save until the last 10 minutes. Forwards Harry Kewell and John Aloisi and midfielder Tim Cahill did not play for Australia because of injury.