In a lacklustre match played on a sodden, cut-up pitch, the Australians had few chances to score against the Singaporeans, who were also building towards a World Cup qualifier here against Lebanon next week.

Coach Pim Verbeek used the match to give Liverpool winger Harry Kewell a runout in the opening half before he was replaced at halftime with a view to keeping him fit for next Wednesday's qualifier against the Chinese in Kunming.

The Australians have yet to lose to Singapore, having won their previous six encounters.

Verbeek fielded mostly A-League players, sprinkled with a couple of European-based players, including Kewell, Newcastle United reserve striker James Troisi, Nurnberg defender Michael Beauchamp and Fulham defender Adrian Leijer.

'The last 15 minutes we gave too much space away, but I was very pleased with the first 75 minutes and I've learned a lot about my players,' Verbeek said.

'As far as I can see everybody is fit so it's now up to the next step against China.'

'I was not interested in tonight's result - I wanted to see my players, they gave everything they could. I had some very nice surprises, players were better than I expected and I had some disappointments, but that's good as well.'

Former Australian striker Alex Duric went close for Singapore with two attempts, firing just wide on one occasion and shooting weakly at goalkeeper Ante Covic from close range.

The Socceroos struggled to create clear-cut opportunities in the early stages of the second half, though on the hour substitute Bruce Djite was put clear but had his shot blocked by goalkeeper Lionel Lewis.

Lewis also turned aside a 35-metre (yard) drive from Topor-Stanley in the 70th minute. -- AFP