Wales 1 - 2 Australia: Welsh warm-up turns cold in Cardiff

WALES warmed up for next month's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Montenegro and England with a disappointing defeat to Australia at Cardiff City Stadium.

Dragons boss Gary Speed was able to pick an almost full-strength side with the likes of Gareth Bale, making a first appearance in ten months, Craig Bellamy and captain Aaron Ramsey all starting.

But the hosts struggled to break down a well-organised Socceroos defence as they fell to a side 89 places above them in the world rankings.

Tim Cahill volleyed the opener for Holger Osieck's side just before half-time, with Wales mystified by a penalty appeal for a foul on Bale being waved away seconds earlier, before substitute Robbie Kruse tapped in the second just after the hour mark.

Darcy Blake pulled a goal back for the hosts as they finished strongly, but it was not enough to prevent a fourth defeat in five games for boss Speed.

The game, which was the first meeting between these two sides, had a low-key feel to it in the early going with little in the way of chances until Cahill's opener.

After Blake pulled a goal back from the home side after Kruse had extended the lead on the hour mark, Wales piled on the pressure, but were unable to find the equaliser.

Wales: Hennessey, Gunter, Taylor, Vaughan, Gabbidon, Williams, Ramsey, Ledley, Bale, Earnshaw, Bellamy. Subs: Myhill, Eardley, Collison, Collins, Matthews, Robson-Kanu, Morison, King, Tudur Jones, Blake, Allen.

Australia: Schwarzer, Wilkshire, Neill, Spiranovic, Zullo, Emerton, Kilkenny, Valeri, McKay, Cahill, McDonald.