Australia fought hard to hold European finalists Serbia 1-1 in the Group A opening match at the 2008 Beijing Olympics soccer tournament on Thursday.

Right midfielder Ruben Zadkovich netted in from small angle at the far post after speedy David Carney suddenly burst out three Serbian defenders before curving a wicked low cross.

The Serbs levelled from a 78-minute corner when tall central back Slobodan Rajkovic flashed a bullet header into the net.

"I'm a little bit disappointed about our possession, we have been practicing passing during training ,but today we made too many mistakes," said Australia coach Graham Arnold.

"There are three games to play, and to get one point is not so bad."

Serbia coach Miroslav Djukic was also disappointed as the Serbs took control.

"Statistics show that we have better chances, but the score was 1-1. Our players come from Europe, and I'm sorry to say it's too hot here. We appreciate Australia. They are a tough, strong and disciplined team."

Serbia took some advantage in their first Olympic match as an independent state aftet the secession of Montenegro in 2006, and pressured the Olyroos for the majority of the game.

Serbia's all-round midfielder Zoran Tosic attracted a lot of limelight throughout the game with his powerful shots, the even- footed winger smashed a powerful shot against the cross bar at the end of the first period.

Australia relied more on the counter attacks, a case in point is that they packed eleven players inside their box when the Serbs took a corner.

After Zadkovich's opener, the game tended to be more open, with both sides quickening the rhythm and made more attacking attempts.

Nikita Rukavytsya could have brought three points for the Olyroos, only to find his 74-minute effort hit the far post.

Rajkovic's equalizer prevented Serbia from more wounds, as the Aussies trounced Serbia and Montenegro 5-1 four years ago at Athens Games.

(Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2008)