To see all the pics of the Australia fans at the SFS....

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Carney's superb 53rd minute winner before a slightly disappointing crowd of just over 25,000 ensured Australian remains unbeaten three games into Osieck's reign.

The German promised to play attacking football before the game and was good to his word, the Socceroos asking constant questions of the Paraguayan defence in an assured and confident performance.

That their dominance failed to produce more than one goal may because for concern, but the one they did get was deserving of a match clincher.

The unmarked Carney was lurking inside the box as a cross dribbled off Josh Kennedy's back as the big frontman fell to the turf.

Spotting a small gap between the keeper and the left post, the attacking left fullback let fly with a swerving left-foot volley that threaded the narrow passageway.

Carney wheeled around in delight at his fourth goal in Socceroos colours at a ground where he enjoyed so much success with Sydney FC.

Tim Cahill had earlier overcome a knee injury to start the match, with Osieck leaving Scott McDonald on the bench and employing Josh Kennedy and Cahill up front in an attacking 4-4-2 formation.

Paraguay fielded six starting players from the side beaten by Spain in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

The visitors carved out the first chance of the game on 13 minutes, striker Nelson Haedo Valdez's excellent first-time effort covered by Mark Schwarzer at the near post.

Australia were slow to warm to the task but eventually found their attacking groove midway through the half.

Cahill lost his marker to meet Luke Wilkshire's curling free kick, only for the goal-bound header to be cleared off the line.

A minute later Jason Culina almost claimed a rare international goal when his rasping 28m drive was parried away by goalkeeper Diego Barreto.

The ball fell for Wilkshire to whip in a cross but Kennedy's header sailed wide of the mark.

The game was now being played at an up tempo pace and the South Americans were struggling to go with the Socceroos.

The half ended scoreless although Australia's injury time penalty claim - after Mile Jedinak was dragged down by the arm inside the box - had some merit.

The hosts continued to attack after the interval and went close to scoring through Cahill and Richard Garcia in the opening minutes.

But it fell to Carney, currently out of favour at Premier League Blackpool, to break the deadlock.

His strike never looked like missing from the moment it left his trusty left boot.

McDonald entered the fray on the hour for Kennedy but was unable to break his goal-scoring drought, which now stretches 19 matches across four years.

Paraguay threatened an equaliser on a number of occasions deep into the match but the Socceroos rode their luck to hold on for an encouraging win over the 17th ranked country in the world.

Australia 1 (Carney 53') def Paraguay 0

Crowd: 25,210

To see all the pics of the Australia fans at the SFS....

To see all the pics of the Paraguay fans at the SFS...