体坛英语新闻：Serbia, Australia out in dignity in World Cup

NELSPRUIT, South Africa, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Both Australia and Serbia crashed out of the World Cup after an entertaining 2-1 Group D match going for Australia here on Wednesday.

A win will send Serbia, who have three points in pocket before the match, to the round of 16. While Australia only put in one point on the billboard after the first two group matches.

The victory was not enough to book the Socceroos a place in the round of 16 as the result saw Australia finish Group D third behind Ghana on goal difference, who lost to Germany 1-0 in the other match. Germany topped the group with six points.

Serbia put on a brighter performance in the first half with a 56 percent of ball possession as well as eight shots and five on target to Australia's five and four.

At the sixth minute, Serbia's Milos Krasic, who plays for CSKA Moscow, hit a powerful shot but it was blocked by Australia's goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Serbia challenged Australia defence again in the 12th minute when a pass was put on the path of Milos Krasic, whose shot went wide. Four minutes later, Zdravko Kuzmanovic's another shot in the box went begging.

At 23, Serbia spurned a good chance as Branislav Ivanovic's shot was palmed away. Another good chance for Serbia in the 38th minute as Dejan Stankovic drove through the defence, Zigic picked up the ball and found the net but was ruled offside.