The Qantas Socceroos have come away from their match against Singapore with a 0-0 draw at a very damp and humid National Stadium in Singapore.
Neither side was able to muster a winning goal on the very wet and slippery pitch, which took a hammering an hour before kick-off and was chopped up quite badly.
The heavy conditions certainly played into the home sides favour more than the young and inexperienced Australian side, who nonetheless acquitted themselves well.
Nine players made their senior international debuts for Australia and will have given Pim Verbeek and eye not just to Wednesday's all important World Cup qualifier against China, but into the future as well.
The best chances for Australia came in the first half, with Mark Bridge going the closest with a shot that hit the top of the crossbar.
The first meaningful shot at goal came from Australia after 9 minutes, when his powerful low free kick beats the wall, but was well-saved by Singapore keeper Lionel Lewis.
Both sides were dangerous when they got the ball wide, with James Troisi dangerous for Australia, while Shi Jiayi was doing likewise for Singapore.
Troisi was presented with the next chance for Australia, pouncing on a rebound and his shot from 20 metres was again well-saved by Lewis. A minute later, Mark Bridge went close when his shot beat Lewis but hit the woodwork.
Kewell was denied a chance at goal by a desperate Daniel Bennett tackle on the edge of the area.
After a fairly slow start, Singapore came more into the match and Alex Duric went close with two quick chances, although neither really troubled Ante Covic.
Verbeek, with an eye to Wednesday night, took off the effective Thompson and Kewell at half time with Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite coming on.
But the heavy pitch and very humid conditions sapped the energy and with a host of substitutions, the match lacked rhythm in the second half.
Djite had the best chance for Australia midway through the second pass, when he received a nice ball from Bridge. After stumbling initially, he managed to keep hold of the ball and took the ball left of goal, but Lewis stuck out a foot to block his shot.
Nikolai Topor-Stanley was denied a 35-metre goalbound shot by an acrobatic save from Lewis
Singapore had the chance to win it late on, but Covic did well to save down low to his left, while Topor-Stanley needed to clear a dangerous cross from close range, as Singapore pressed for a late winner.
Verbeek, while disappointed with not winning the game, could not fault the players effort, especially in the difficult conditions.
"I was very pleased with the first 75 minutes," he told Fox Sports after the match. "It was a good test for our players and I have learnt a lot.
"It was difficult out there and I had a some very nice surprises from players, who did better than I thought they would."
He also confirmed players that would be going to China, naming Ante Covic, Adam Griffiths, Jade North, Michael Beauchamp, Harry Kewell, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Mark Bridge, Archie Thompson and Bruce Djite.