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A goal from Brett Holman gave the Roos an early lead but just 15 minutes later, Harry Kewell was dismissed controversially for an alleged deliberate handball on the line which replays later suggested was accidental and off his upper arm and chest.

But despite giving away a converted penalty to level the score, the Socceroos continued to take the game to Ghana and came close to getting a winner despite the disadvantage.

It restored public pride in the side after the humiliating defeat against Germany when Verbeek tinkered with his tried and tested tactics with disastrous consequences.

After the match, Verbeek admitted he was delighted with the bravery his Roos showed.

"If you have to play more than hour with 10 players, you're leading 1-0, you have to work very very hard," he said. "They were fighting, fighting, fighting for everything.

"I can only be proud of the players, it was not easy.

"You have to fight quite hard. You bring in some fresh legs and we have to be a little bit lucky. We were not fresh at the end but that is normal in a tournament like this."

He added: "It was a tough game, again, but I think it was a fantastic performance from our players. The reaction was excellent.

"We played about 70 minutes with 10 players and we really had to play hard. We knew we had to win this game and did a few things for the right result.

"We had some very good chances and the players worked very hard."

Verbeek lamented the very "unlucky" decision by referee Roberto Rosetti to dismiss Kewell, citing it as the turning point in the game.

He said: "I think we were very unlucky with the red card. I think it was a mistake from the referee.

"That was not a red card, we were unlucky with that. But I think the players reacted very well."

"You can't change it anymore so you have to try to get the energy back for the next game and go for there."

Now the Socceroos face a gargantuan task if they are to qualify from the group stage after the Ghana draw.

"The next one we have to win 3-0 so it will be quite difficult," admitted Verbeek. 

"We need to score at least three or four goals against Serbia. Okay... that's the job."

To see Socceroos fans watch the game at FanFest...