Australia drew with European finalists Serbia 0-0 in the first half of the Group A opening match at the 2008 Beijing Olympics soccer tournament on Thursday.

After a careful first 15 minutes, Serbia gradually took advantage with more possession and threatening attacks. Right winger Zoran Tosic made two mid-range shots from about 25 meters, before smashed a 30 meter-shot to hit the crossbar on 37 minutes.

It was the best scoring chance in the first half, but the ball bounded back to the ground. Tosic had another powerful shot blocked by Australian keeper Adan Federici in the 45th minute.

(Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2008)