SYDNEY (AP) Australia was held to a 1-1 draw by an understrength South Africa on Monday in its last international friendly on home soil before the World Cup.
More than 50,000 spectators were at Sydney's Olympic stadium expecting to send the Socceroos off with what should have been a straightforward win. Instead, it was Ayanda Patosi who opened the scoring for South Africa against the run of play in the 13th minute.
New York Red Bulls midfielder Tim Cahill scored the equalizer a minute later, extending his record as Australia's all-time leading international scorer, when he nodded in a header from Tommy Oar's well-placed cross. But it was one of the rare highlights in an Australian performance that was more notable for the problems in its inexperienced defense.
Australia is a longshot to collect any points in Brazil, where it opens against Chile and also faces defending champion Spain and 2010 finalist Netherlands in Group B.
Defender Ivan Franjic limped off with a right knee injury late in the match but a team spokesman said it wasn't a serious problem.
Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou is set to cut three players from his 30-man squad on Tuesday and finalize his 23 for the World Cup by June 2.
