New Phoenix Striker on target

Australia:
Tando Velaphi (gk), Nigel Boogaard, Aaron Downes, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Ruben Zadkovich, James Holland (Adam D'Apuzzo 75'), Spase Dilevski, Troy Hearfield (James Troisi 68') (injury), Michael Zullo, Mark Bridge (c), Nikita Rukavysta (Matt Simon 33') (injury)
Subs not used: Dean Bouzanis (rgk), Trent McClenahan, Jason Hoffman, Adrian Leijer
Omitted: Stuart Musialik, Mark Milligan
Coach: Graham Arnold

Croatia: Antonijo Jezina (gk), Karlo Simic, Igor Prahic, Elvis Kokalovic, Franjo Pintaric, Mario Brkijaca (c), Ante Kulusic, Mato Jajalo (Marin Ljubicic 78'), Ivan Bacak, Marin Tomasov (Drago Gabric 71'), Ante Mitrovic (Tomislav Busic 46')
Subs not used: Silvio Rodic (rgk), Ivan Kelava (rgk), Slobodan Stranatic
Omitted: Josip Tadic, Mario Mandzukic
Coach: Drazen Ladic

Cautions noted: Ruben Zadkovich (Aus) 90'+, Marin Tomasov (Cro) 64'

Referee: Shahbuddin Mohd Hadimin (Brunei)
Assistants: Azman Ismail (Malaysia), Choosang Worapoj (Thailand); Fourth Official: Duong Van Hien (Vietnam)

A dominant and experienced Australian Olympic side strolled to a 3-0 victory over a young Croatian side in Group B of the inaugural Intercontinental Cup at the KLFA Stadium in Cheras on Friday.

Tonight the two badminton finals and the FA Cup are on TV so the crowd could be worse than the first match and maybe as bad as the third last night when media and police outnumbered spectators

This was a surprisingly easy win for Australia but as Graham Arnold pointed out after the match it was basically Croatia's Under 21 team and the two year difference at this age level can be significant.

When Nikita Rukavysta was upended just outside the area by a Croatian defender referee Shahbuddin Mohamad Hadimin of Brunei gave nothing and only belatedly called for medical assistance.

Heavy strapping to the thigh of the player allowed him to go back on and score the opening goal but clearly he would not last much longer.

Croatia arrived with five players joining the squad on the morning of the match due to the postponed Croatian Cup Final between Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split talking place two days earlier.

Three of the five came off the bench while the other two stayed put.

A long throw from Nikolai Topor-Stanley in the 18th was nodded on by Troy Hearfield and stabbed home by Rukavysta at the far post to give the Olyroos the lead.

Australia had good shape and presence and went on to dominate the game. To their credit Croatia played some skilful and stylish football all game but they did not have the power or experience to match the Australians physically.

Australia could have led by more than 1-0 at the break but Mark Bridge headed wide once and saw other shots of his saved as well.

Australia was even more dominant after the break. Matt Simon, once of NSW Super League Central Coast Lightning, headed well from a Spase Dilevski corner in the 52nd but the keeper, Antonijo Jezina, dived to his right to make a good save.

Nigel Boogaard headed wide a minute later, before Bridge got the ball away to Hearfield down the right and the useful midfielder headed the ball on ahead of him before hitting a powerful first-time shot past the keeper.

Hearfield was fouled badly in the 54th and had to come off to be replaced by James Troisi four minutes later.

In the 73rd Troisi made the most of his unexpected appearance on the field by dashing through on the right after receiving a ball down the flank from Ruben Zadkovich and finished superbly from a tight angle.

Graham Arnold was pleased with the effort but not with the two injuries to his key players.

"We have had 15-16 games under our belts in Asia now and we have adjusted to the tempo well. Croatia has a much younger team than we do and they would have needed longer to adjust than us.

"It's a headache for me to get the numbers down to 18 as there are so many players in contention. We will keep going and take another look at the end of the tournament.

"I think Nikita might not play here again and I'm sure Hearfield won't as he has a medial ligament injury.

Croatia's coach, Drazen Ladic, was not unhappy with the effort.

"We only had one forward player available and we only had a few days to prepare with the rest of the team. The games against Chile and Togo will be more at the level we can handle at the moment.

It's such a young team and I had to see how they went.

"Australia was stronger and we still have a chance of making the semi-finals.

"We need matches so if we can get to the semi-final at least we will be able to gather more experience.

"The Cup Final in Croatia had been postponed, due to bad weather, so five of our players arrived too late to start today.

"We are looking to gel as a team and this match will help us a lot," he said.

Australia plays a tough game against Chile on Sunday, and then Togo on Tuesday as part of Group B.