[Press release prior to first match]
Australian Coach Raul Blanco has been dealt more injury blows in the lead up to this Friday's second and final match between Australia and South Korea, in the Olyroo Soccer Challenge.
Last week saw the withdrawals of defender STEVE LAYBUTT and midfielder MARCO BRESCIANO from the camp, while this week, Blanco has had to contend with losing another three players, with one more in doubt.
Goalkeeper DANNY MILOSEVIC corked a thigh in Perth's game against Wollongong on Sunday and has withdrawn from the camp - his place is taken by Adelaide Sharks goalkeeper NATHAN WILDY.
Northern Spirit striker CLAYTON ZANE pinched a nerve in his back in Friday's first game against the South Koreans and has not responded to treatment - he's replaced by Canberra striker PETER BULJAN.
IVAN ZELIC strained his thigh in the pre-match warm-up on Friday night, and was sent back to Canberra immediately - his place has been taken by LEVENT OSMAN of the Gippsland Falcons.
Also under an injury cloud is Perth Glory defender MICHAEL GARCIA who is suffering an injury to his foot; Garcia did not play over the weekend, and is undergoing further scans to isolate the problem.
[and now the actual report.....]
Without a ball being kicked, the Olyroos lost stopper Ivan Zelic, who strained his right thigh in the warm-up, and is unlikely to start the next game.
When the game did get underway, it was a pacy South Korean team who dominated the early stages, and went up 1-nil in the 17th minute, Lee Kwan-Woo rocketing a shot from 30 metres past flying Olyroo goalkeeper Joe Didulica.
The Australians coped with the South Korean speed and counter attack better in the second half, and set up a number of good opportunities, only to be thwarted by goalkeeper Kim Young-Dae.
Referee Gerry Connelly earned the wrath of the crowd when he denied a claim for a penalty to Christian Care in the dying moments of the game, the Olyroos succumbing to South Korea 1-nil.
The Australians will have a chance to square up the series next Friday night, when the two sides meet in the second and final game at the Bob Jane Stadium in Melbourne.