Australia secured a 1-0 friendly victory over Ghana thanks to Derby's Mile Sterjovski.
Derby midfielder secures Australia win
Australia secured a 1-0 friendly victory over Ghana thanks to Derby's Mile Sterjovski.
The midfielder struck just 45 seconds into the second half of Friday's encounter to ensure that Pim Verbeek's side were celebrating in Sydney.
The Rams ace seized on a mistake by Ghana captain John Mensah, and after robbing the Rennes defender of possession proceeded to stun the visitors with a 20-yard thunderbolt.
The Africans had been in charge until that point, with Hearts' Laryea Kingston pulling the strings in midfield and Nottingham Forest striker Junior Agogo proving a handful up front.
A lack of match fitness had ensured that Harry Kewell remained anonymous for large periods of the game, while Mark Schwarzer enjoyed an inspired display in the Australia goal.
Sterjovski admitted that the Socceroos were perhaps a little fortunate to come away with a win, but was delighted nonetheless.
"I thought it was a bit of a sloppy game," Sterjovski said.
"But it was good to win."
Both teams were using the fixture as warm-up for forthcoming World Cup qualifiers, with Australia in action on 1st June against Iraq and Ghana due to host Libya on the same day.
