SYDNEY (AFP) - The Netherlands have still to beat Australia in three meetings after they had to settle with a scoreless draw in their international friendly here on Saturday. The world number three Dutch dominated but could not find a way through the stubborn Australian defence with their intricate short passing game. Both nations have already qualified for next years World Cup finals in South Africa, but the 14th-ranked Socceroos have yet to lose to the Dutchmen in three games over the last three years. The Socceroos, under previous Dutch coach Guus Hiddink, drew 1-1 with the Netherlands in Rotterdam as a lead-up game to the 2006 World Cup in Germany and downed the Dutch 2-1 in Eindhoven in September last year. That was the last time the Dutch have been defeated in 12 internationals, including an unbeaten World Cup qualifying campaign. The Australians had a chance to snatch victory in the final minutes when Brett Holman was clear on goal but he blasted his volley over the bar. The Dutch with Wesley Sneijder and Demy de Zeeuw running the midfield, dominated the opening half. The Oranje controlled possession and had more of the scoring chances, with AC Milan striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar twice heading well over the bar from good positions. The Socceroos had an early setback when Blackburn Rovers defensive midfielder Vince Grella left the field with a thigh injury, making way for Italian-based understudy Carl Valeri. It took the Australians over 20 minutes to get the ball into the Dutch box and Brett Holman forced their goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg into a save minutes later. Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt came the closest to scoring just before half-time when he headed narrowly over the bar from a Sneijder corner and in stoppage time Holman forced Stekelenburg to punch clear of his goal. Kuyt was replaced by his Liverpool team mate Ryan Babel at half-time and coach Pim Verbeek hauled off Tim Cahill, Josh Kennedy and Craig Moore in a triple substitution to save them for next weeks AFC Asian Cup qualifier with Oman in Melbourne. Blackburn Rovers utility Brett Emerton came on for his first appearance for Australia since June last year after a serious knee injury. Australia had more of the second half with the Dutch conceding two free kicks in range of the goal, but the home side could not take advantage. Sneijder, who was troubled by influenza this week, was brought off after 69 minutes for Orlando Engelaar.