Australia maintained their unbeaten record against Holland on Saturday with a 0-0 draw on home soil.
Holland fail to breach Aussie defence
Australia maintained their unbeaten record against Holland on Saturday with a 0-0 draw on home soil.
An uninspiring friendly contest failed to produce much of a spectacle for those in attendance, with neither side able to force a breakthrough.
The Socceroos looked well off the pace throughout, while the Dutch dominated proceedings for long periods without really testing Mark Schwarzer.
But the goal the visitors deserved never arrived, stretching Australia's undefeated record in friendlies against Holland to three games.
Holland started the better and had two strong chances inside the first 10 minutes.
Dirk Kuyt, a constant threat on the right, whipped in a cross for Klaas Jan Huntelaar to head over the bar eight minutes in.
It was an early warning sign for the Socceroos and one they did not immediately heed.
Concern
Two minutes later Eljero Elia's left-foot cross found Huntelaar, who lost his marker but got under his header and watched it sail harmlessly over Schwarzer's bar.
Australia had further cause for concern in the 16th minute when Blackburn midfielder Vince Grella limping out of the game with a thigh injury.
While the Socceroos lacked fluency and precision, the Dutch continued to showcase their tremendous short passing game and movement off the ball, particularly around the Australian penalty box.
Defender Khalid Boulahrouz worked his way deep into the area after 21 minutes and should have done better with his attempt on goal, blasting a near-post shot which found nothing but the side-netting.
Australia's one and only real chance of the first half fell to Brett Holman in the 24th minute, but while his long-range effort was on target, it lacked any power.
The Dutch then almost opened the scoring two minutes before the interval, Kuyt's angled near-post header from a corner flashing just over the bar and onto the roof of the net.
Australia made three changes to start the second half - Brett Emerton, Patrick Kisnorbo and Dario Vidosic coming on for Josh Kennedy, Craig Moore and Tim Cahill.
Problems
The Oranje replaced Kuyt with his Liverpool team-mate Ryan Babel.
The changes made no difference to the shape of the match, Holland continuing to press forward while experiencing few problems at the other end.
Elia forced a good save from Schwarzer down low to his left while Babel blasted wide and high after bringing the ball down on the edge of the box a few minutes later.
Elia was starting to make his presence felt as the Dutch continued to press.
His back-post cross just after the hour mark found Huntelaar's head, but Luke Wilkshire blocked out the danger to maintain Australia's clean sheet.
Holland had 20 shots on goal without success but in the end were fortunate not to concede a late goal.
Holman found himself bearing down on the Dutch goal in the 88th minute after being set free by consecutive flicked-on headers.
In two minds whether to shoot or lay the ball back, the midfielder opted for the former and sprayed his shot well wide of the mark.
