10 Oct 2010

Australia beat Paraguay 1-0 in friendly

3:39 pm on 10 October 2010

The Australian footballers have beaten Paraguay 1-0 in an international friendly in Sydney.

Australia fielded a strong lineup despite missing skipper Lucas Neill and midfielder Brett Emerton, with Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell starting and goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer wearing the captain's armband.

The Socceroos dominated the first half of play, but it wasn't until after the break that the deadlock was broken.

The midfielder David Carney capitalised on a deflection off team-mate Richard Garcia, to score the winner in the 53rd minute.

The win gives new coach Holger Osieck his second win from three starts since taking over after the World Cup.

Paraguay now travel to Wellington to play New Zealand on Tuesday.